ドジャース 大谷おおたに翔平しょうへい 34号さんじゅうよんごうツーランHRも チームは3さん連敗れんぱい

Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers played in the game against the Brewers and hit his 34th home run in two consecutive games, but the team lost 5-6, marking their third straight defeat.

The Dodgers played against the Brewers at their home stadium in Los Angeles on the 20th.

The Dodgers, who started the second half of the season with two consecutive losses, changed their batting order for this game, and Ohtani made his starting appearance as the second batter and designated hitter for the first time since June 16 last year.

In his first at-bat, he struck out swinging at a breaking ball low and away.

After scoring the first run in the third inning, Betts, who was batting first in the starting lineup, got on base with a hit. In his second at-bat, he sent a pitch that came right down the middle to left field for his 34th two-run home run of the season—his second in as many games—extending the lead to 3-0.

In his third at-bat in the 6th inning, he grounded out to first base, and in his fourth at-bat in the 8th inning, he drew a walk.

Ohtani had 1 hit in 3 at-bats, 2 RBIs, and 1 walk in this game.

The Dodgers pitchers couldnt hold on again in this game, and although they narrowed the gap to one run in the ninth inning after being down 4-6, they lost 5-6, suffering their third consecutive defeat in the first series of the second half.

According to the team, this is the first time theyve suffered six consecutive home losses since the 2017 season.

After the game, Manager Roberts said, I think the word frustration perfectly describes our current situation.

There were especially a lot of defensive mistakes today.

I think its because of a lack of concentration.

I’m surprised that we’re in this situation in the latter half of the season, he said, criticizing the defense, which committed three errors.

Pitcher Kershaw, who started the game, left the mound in the middle of the fifth inning after allowing three runs, partly due to his teammates errors. At one point, he showed his frustration by throwing his glove into the bench.

Manager Roberts said, He was angry, but thats understandable.

He expressed his appreciation for that kind of leadership, saying, Thats a good thing, and hoped the players would be inspired, adding, We have to make an effort to change the flow ourselves.

On the other hand, Freeman, who was substituted during the game after being hit by a pitch on his left wrist, was found to have no bone abnormalities according to the examination.

Roberts said, I was worried it might be a long-term absence, but I was truly relieved, and indicated that he would decide on participation in games from the next day onward after assessing the situation.

In 2018, when Betts was with the Red Sox, he won the MVP award and, along with Ohtani and Freeman, is called the Dodgers MVP trio. However, this season his batting average is only .240.

Manager Roberts said, I made a comprehensive decision after considering Mookies mental and technical condition.

He said, “By letting him play in the batting order he’s most familiar with and giving him a new perspective, I think it will make him more conscious of ‘getting on base above all else.’” He explained the intention behind moving Betts back to the leadoff spot, where he used to bat until Ohtani settled into that position last season.

Also, regarding Ohtani batting second, Shohei is always a player who puts the team first, and there was no problem with his reaction when I told him.

By having Shohei behind him, I was hoping that the opposing team, not wanting to put a runner on base, would pitch to Mookie in the strike zone.

In the game, Betts got on base with a hit in the third inning, and Ohtani responded to his new spot in the lineup by hitting a two-run home run. However, in the ninth inning when they were trailing by one run, with two outs and the bases loaded, Betts hit a line drive to center and was out, so Ohtani didnt get a chance to bat and the team lost the game.

After the game, Betts, who had one hit in five at-bats, said, I just have to get better, no matter what.

I have to find the answer for the decoding, he said with a slightly irritated tone.

Manager Roberts said, It will also reduce the burden on Shohei since he wont have to bat immediately after pitching, and pointed out the benefits for Ohtani, who will play as a two-way player on the 21st.

The lineup with Betts batting first will continue for a few weeks, so it will be interesting to see what kind of changes it brings to the team thats currently on a losing streak.