LOS ANGELES — Now that felt like a playoff game. The Dodgers scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth off Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald and rallied for a 6-5 victory Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.
Teoscar Hernandez and Shohei Ohtani both turned in a three-hit game in a back-and-forth thriller. Ohtani’s two-run home run (his 27th of the season) in the seventh inning put the Dodgers (55-33) ahead, but the Diamondbacks quickly responded with two runs in the next two innings to go ahead 5-4.
In the ninth, Sewald, who had allowed only five his this season, allowed a two-out double to Will Smith. Freddie Freeman doubled into the right-center field gap to tie the game and Hernandez's single to left-field scored Freeman for the game-winner.
TEOSCAR HERNANDEZ WALKS IT OFF pic.twitter.com/NompjivipC
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 3, 2024
It was Sewald's first blown save and loss of the season.
Here are the takeaways:
Dodgers don’t quit
The top four in the lineup (Ohtani, Smith, Freeman, Hernandez) went 10-for-20 on Tuesday night with all six RBI.
Alright, here's Freddie Freeman following Will Smith's two-out double with one of his own on an 0-2 count to tie the game. pic.twitter.com/79FW7hiRdI
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) July 3, 2024
For a team that just lost the series in San Francisco to a rival, this was a confidence booster and a testament to what this team can accomplish in October.
Ohtani continues MVP campaign
With his National League leading 27th home run and batting average at .321, along with 64 RBI, Ohtani has solidified himself as the MVP candidate.
SHOHEI OHTANI FOR THE LEAD 🚀
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 3, 2024
(via @MLB)
pic.twitter.com/IVfuQhVNio
There were questions if Ohtani could replicate what he did with the Los Angeles Angels and, after a short slump earlier in the season, he is rolling. He had a 1.110 slugging percentage in June.
It is hard to win MVP as a DH, but the things that Ohtani does on a game-to-game basis makes him more valuable than anyone in the NL. Aaron Judge and Ohtani are putting on a show for baseball fans this summer.
Miller returns to form
It has been a rough return from the injured list for Dodgers starter Bobby Miller. His ERA has inflated to 6.12 on the season, but his outing on Tuesday night was more like his old self.
Miller went five innings, giving up four hits and allowing two runs on a Christian Walker home run.
Bobby Miller Pumped pic.twitter.com/FlKDxfZ6fB
— Mad Choriyama (@MadChoriyama) July 3, 2024
His most impressive inning was a bases-loaded, no-out jam and that he escaped without allowing a run.
The command was erratic at times, but his arsenal made up for it. Miller has said that it feels like he is ramping up in spring training again, but this is a step in the right direction.
The Dodgers are back at it at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, with right-hander Gavin Stone (9-2, 2.73 ERA) facing a Diamondbacks starter to be announced.