United States – Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese star, starred in his longest start of the 2026 season, pitching for seven innings, although the Houston Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1, with two home runs allowed by the pitcher.
The right-hander, named Pitcher of the Month in the National League, proved his worth on the mound once again. Despite not being in his best form in terms of control, Ohtani displayed his prowess: he achieved eight strikeouts, conceded only four hits, and finished the day with an impressive ERA of 0.97.
Manager Dave Roberts decided to keep him out of the offensive lineup for the second consecutive time, seeking to alleviate the player’s physical burden, who is going through a complicated moment with the bat.
This strategy seeks to balance his dual role in the Major Leagues. The effort of pitching, especially in long outings, has affected his offensive performance, something that the coaching staff manages with scheduled rest.
In the mound, Ohtani showed signs of that wear. He received solo home runs from Christian Walker and Braden Shewmake, both against fastballs that remained in the zone, marking the first home runs he has conceded in the campaign.
Despite this, he responded in critical moments. In the fifth inning, with runners on base, he elevated his fastball above 100 mph and combined it with his slider to dominate José Altuve, thus avoiding further damage.
His performance was fundamental for a Dodgers team facing a demanding schedule. Amidst a series of consecutive games and with absences in the rotation, his ability to pitch seven innings provided vital relief to the bullpen.
Although his offensive performance has recently decreased, the coaching staff fully trusts in his recovery.
Ohtani, for his part, has made it clear that his main focus is on pitching, while he works to regain his rhythm with the bat as well.
