04/22/26 11:32:00
Printable Page
04/22 23:28 CDT Shohei Ohtani's 53-game on-base streak ends as Roberts mulls
resting him more often when he pitches
Shohei Ohtani's 53-game on-base streak ends as Roberts mulls resting him more
often when he pitches
By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Baseball Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) --- Shohei Ohtani's career-best 53-game on-base streak ended
on a night he pitched six scoreless innings.
It's something only Ohtani could achieve, but the two-way superstar could be
having games like that a little bit less often.
"I'm focused, as a leadoff hitter, to get on base. As long as I feel good
overall, the result will follow," Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton.
"It hasn't been the case (lately)."
Before Wednesday's loss to San Francisco, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave
Roberts made it clear he's committed to Ohtani's health and keeping him fresh
to perform both on the mound and at the plate for the long haul.
And that may look different by the day or week, depending how Ohtani is feeling.
"I'll always let the manager make that final decision and I'm always going to
be prepared when I'm starting that I'm hitting," Ohtani said. "But if it makes
sense as a team to occasionally put a guy in as a DH or hit later that's fine
as well. I wouldn't want to same more aside from that."
For some games, that could mean Ohtani pitches but doesn't bat as the
designated hitter --- and Roberts plans to keep his options open.
Ohtani was solid on the mound again for the Dodgers in a 3-0 loss to the
Giants, allowing no earned runs for the third time in four starts this season.
A week earlier, Ohtani was held out of the lineup while pitching for the first
time since 2021 because he was still sore from getting hit by a pitch.
Ohtani batted in his customary leadoff spot and went 0 for 4 with a strikeout,
hitting a fly ball to left in his last at-bat. That ended an on-base streak
that matched Shawn Green for the second-longest in Dodgers history. Duke Snider
owns the team record at 58 games from May 13-July 11, 1954. Ohtani's streak was
the longest in the majors since Orlando Cabrera reached base in 63 straight
from April 25-July 6, 2006.
"The season's not over, and I could start another streak and that would be
great," Ohtani said. "We'll see how it goes."
The 31-year-old Ohtani saw his batting average drop from .271 to .258. He has
allowed one earned run over 24 innings for an ERA of 0.38 and a 2-0 record,
surrendering 15 hits with 25 strikeouts and six walks.
"I think if you look at the overall numbers it's certainly something. I still
feel really good about putting his name in the lineup," Roberts said. "I know
the last start I chose not to have him hit and just pitch. I am open to it.
We'll see. It's something that we've certainly flagged, and also you have to
look at what's the option. In years past or last year, you've got to kind of
weigh, who's a different option?"
Catcher Dalton Rushing has become a capable fill-in at DH. He's hitting .414
with seven homers and 13 RBIs.
The two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers have dropped four of five.
They lost 3-1 in Tuesday night's series opener at rival San Francisco.
Roberts had yet to decide whether Ohtani would play the series finale Thursday.
He said beforehand he had no qualms about giving Ohtani five at-bats on a day
he's pitching but would consider moving him down in the batting order if that
makes sense.
"I think everything should be on the table," Roberts said.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
|
