▲ Ohtani
"Superstar" Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers secured his 7th win of the season, battling through bleeding on his right middle finger to remain on the mound.
Ohtani started in the home game against the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, held at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on June 18 (KST). He pitched 6 innings, striking out 5 batters while allowing 7 hits and 1 walk, giving up 4 runs to earn his 7th win of the season.
Ohtani recorded 4 runs allowed, his highest in a single game this season.
After his sub-1.00 ERA was broken in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 11, where he allowed 4 runs (3 earned) over 6.2 innings, Ohtani's ERA rose from 1.06 to 1.47 following today's game.
Ohtani, who played only as a pitcher today, held the opponents scoreless until the top of the 4th inning.
However, he gave up 4 runs in the top of the 5th inning while leading 2-0.
With runners on second and third and no outs following a walk and a double, he allowed a sacrifice fly to right field by Taylor Walls and a center-field single to Yandy Diaz, resulting in a 2-2 tie.
Subsequently, with one out and bases loaded, he gave up another run on a ground ball to third base by Junior Caminero and allowed an RBI single to right field by Richie Palacios, falling behind 2-4.
In the continued crisis, Ohtani ended the inning by handling a bunt grounder to third base from Chandler Simpson.
Despite the bleeding on his right middle finger, Ohtani retired the side in order in the top of the 6th inning while trailing 3-4 before leaving the mound.
The Dodgers then reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the 6th inning with a decisive 2-run home run by Freddie Freeman with one out and a runner on second.
Ohtani also stepped up as a pinch hitter for Miguel Rojas with two outs to help the team win, but he grounded out to shortstop.
The Dodgers maintained their one-run lead to win 5-4.
Having swept the three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Dodgers improved to 48-27, maintaining their lead in the National League (NL) West division.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.