Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts hit back-to-back homers, lead walk off win over Rockies

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers entered the ninth inning trailing 5-4. Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts hit back-to-back home runs to secure a 6-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

Right-handed pitcher Seth Halvorsen entered the game to secure the win but failed, throwing an 88 mph splitter to Ohtani, who launched it 432 feet to center field for his 53rd home run of the season.

Ohtani went 4 for 5 with three singles and a monster home run to tie it up in the ninth, along with two stolen bases, bringing his total to 55 for the season. The Ohtani tracker is now at 53-55.

The game was tied at five after Ohtani's 53rd home run and on the third pitch to Betts, he smashed a 100 mph sinker over the left-field wall to walk it off for the Dodgers. It was Betts' 19th home run of the season.

This was Betts' first walk-off home run with the Dodgers.

Despite Yoshinobu Yamamoto's disappointing performance, the Dodgers slowly clawed their way back into the game and secured a late victory against the Rockies.

Yamamoto had no luck as the Rockies took advantage of him in the first inning. They got two bloop singles, a wild throw, and an infield hit by Brendan Rodgers, scoring two runs. 

Yamamoto then walked Sam Hilliard to load the bases and Nolan Jones hit a hard ball to first, bringing in another run.

The Dodgers understood the importance of winning this game before their three-game series against the San Diego Padres. However, Dave Roberts decided to replace Yamamoto after three innings. Yamamoto had allowed five hits, four runs, three walks and had struck out four batters during the game.

Roberts mentioned pregame that he hopes Yamamoto can pitch into the sixth inning to save the bullpen, which has been overused in the last few games.

The Rockies benefited from weak contact resulting in four runs in the first three innings.

Hunter Goodman went 1 for 3, delivering an RBI double to left in the sixth inning off right-hander Ben Casparius, extending the lead to 5-1.

Right-hander Antonio Senzatela pitched five strong innings, allowing five hits, two walks and one earned run. In his second start of the year, he looked in mid-season form from the start of the game.

Teoscar Hernandez hit his 31st home run of the season in the fourth inning off Senzatela. He is just one home run away from tying his career high of 32, which he achieved in 2021 with the Blue Jays.

In the seventh inning, Hernandez had a critical moment with the tying run on second base, but unfortunately, he struck out swinging.

The Dodgers scored four runs in the late stages of the seventh inning, Miguel Rojas walked with one out and then Kike Hernandez, who was added to the starting lineup late because Max Muncy was ruled out due to back soreness, hit a two-run home run off an 85 mph pitch from right-hander Jaden Hill.

The Dodgers struggled to take advantage of having runners on base, leaving eight on throughout the game. They had several opportunities to score in the early innings against Senzatela.

Senzatela escaped trouble by inducing Freeman into two double plays and Tommy Edman into another in crucial moments.

Dodgers pitchers struck out a season-high 17 batters, with contributions from Yamamoto, Joe Kelly, Ryan Brasier, Casparius and Blake Treinen. Both Brasier and Treinen struck out the side in their lone inning of work.

The Dodgers' bullpen kept them in the game despite Yamamoto's performance on Sunday afternoon. Los Angeles currently has a three-game lead in the division before their upcoming matchup with the Padres, starting Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

With a day off coming Monday, Dodgers right-hander Landon Knack (3-4, 3.39 ERA) will face Padres right-hander Michael King (12-9, 3.04 ERA).