Ohtani controlled the game through four scoreless innings, then the Mets finally broke through in the fifth, ending his string of 32⅔ consecutive innings without an earned run. He finished with 10 strikeouts and allowed just one run over six innings, striking out the side in the sixth as the Dodgers kept their lead intact.
The decisive moment came in the eighth inning. With the bases loaded and the Dodgers up 3-1, Rushing delivered a grand slam to center field, effectively sealing the game and delivering the big blow the Dodgers needed to pull away.
Before first pitch, Ohtani and Rushing had a notable exchange that underscored the Dodgers’ confidence. Approximately 20 minutes before first pitch, Ohtani told Rushing to “hit a home run today,” and the rookie catcher followed through in the late at-bat, a moment Rushing attributed to the world’s best player’s faith in him.
Rushing’s two-hit night complemented the Dodgers’ four-homer effort, highlighted by Kim’s solo shot and Hernandez and Tucker also contributing long balls. The offense supplied ample support while Ohtani did not hit, with manager Dave Roberts opting to keep him in the mound when possible after Ohtani had been hit by a pitch earlier in the week.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers’ momentum remains strong as they head to Colorado. Ohtani’s dominant start paired with Rushing’s clutch production and the team’s continued power display illustrate a growing depth and confidence in Los Angeles.
