The Los Angeles Dodgers received home runs from Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández in a 6-4 bounce-back win against the Baltimore Orioles that set the stage for a rubber match on Thursday.
Prior to providing fireworks at the plate, Ohtani paired with his dog, Decoy (Dekopin in Japanese), for a first pitch on their bobblehead night. Fan interest in the Shohei Ohtani and Decoy bobblehead amounted to hundreds lining up outside Dodger Stadium by 10 a.m. and led to gates being opened earlier than normal.
Decoy became the first dog to ever throw out a ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium.
Ohtani’s leadoff home run in the bottom of the first inning gave him 42 on the season. Ohtani later stole his 41st and 42nd bases of the year as well. He’s on the verge of becoming the first player in MLB history with 43 home runs and 43 stolen bases in the same season.
Decoy Ohtani throws out the first pitch to Shohei! pic.twitter.com/OjNBgwt0ag
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) August 29, 2024
Decoy started the game with a strike, and Shohei started the game with a homer.
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/AzkBRI6JfB— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) August 29, 2024
Gavin Lux, second baseman.
(🎥: @ChadMoriyama) pic.twitter.com/ZTPPkY9DLV— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) August 29, 2024
The atmosphere at Dodger Stadium right now >
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/lO3Lmc18wi— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) August 29, 2024
An error by Max Muncy and mishap from Will Smith were keys in the Orioles scoring three runs in the second inning to take a lead.
The Dodgers responded in the third behind Mookie Betts’ RBI single and a three-run homer by Hernández.
Walker Buehler protected the lead but not before giving up a two-out RBI double in the fifth inning. Even with the four runs allowed, the outing was Buehler’s best since coming off the injured list.
Dodgers standings update
The Dodgers have the best record in baseball at 79-54, one game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Their lead in the National League West is 3.5 games over the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the San Diego Padres are four back.
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