Yamamoto Dominates, Ohtani Delivers as Roberts shuts down Rushing trade buzz

CINCINNATI — The Dodgers start another road series with a 5-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds, thanks to Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s strong pitching and Shohei Ohtani's clutch hitting on Monday night at Great American Ball Park.

The game began with the kind of offensive urgency that fans have come to expect from the Dodgers’ high-powered lineup. Mookie Betts, who has been one of the most consistent players for the Dodgers all season, wasted no time getting things started. In the very first inning, Betts opened the game with a leadoff double to right field. After a groundout by Shohei Ohtani moved Betts to third, it was Teoscar Hernández who came through with a clutch RBI single to left field, driving in Betts and putting the Dodgers on top 1-0. This marked Hernández’s 63rd RBI of the season, further adding to his reputation as a dependable contributor when it matters most.

As the Dodgers took an early lead, the team seemed poised to keep adding pressure on Reds’ pitching. But there was one hiccup early on that would challenge them — the starting pitching.

Yamamoto has been a revelation for the team this season. His 2.48 ERA entering the game was one of the best in the league, but Monday night was a reminder that even the most dominant pitchers can face adversity. In the bottom of the first inning, Yamamoto found himself in some trouble, loading the bases with one out. The Reds had an opportunity to take an early lead, but Yamamoto showed his composure. Despite the bases being loaded, he only allowed one run to score — a fielder’s choice groundout by former Dodger Gavin Lux, which made it 1-1.

Lux, who was traded to the Reds during the offseason after a successful tenure in Los Angeles, has been solid in Cincinnati. He’s batting .269 with four home runs and 42 RBIs. On this night, his RBI groundout tied the game, but it also highlighted Yamamoto’s ability to pitch out of a jam. Lux’s RBI was the only run allowed by Yamamoto, as he settled into a rhythm after the shaky start.

Yamamoto deserves credit for his response after the shaky first inning. After allowing the fielder's choice groundout to Lux, he completely locked in, finishing his outing with seven strong innings. Yamamoto allowed just four hits and one run, while striking out nine batters and walking two. Despite the early stress, Yamamoto never let the Reds threaten again, silencing their offense with an impressive mix of fastballs, sliders, and splitters.

His 101-pitch outing was a testament to his ability to command the game when it mattered. His performance not only secured the win for the Dodgers but also reminded the league why he’s one of the most reliable starters on their staff.

Ohtani continued to prove why he’s one of the most dangerous players in baseball. In the top of the fifth inning, the Dodgers extended their lead thanks to Ohtani’s bat. With one out and a man on base, Ohtani crushed a double off Reds right-hander Chase Burns. The ball screamed off his bat and landed over the center field's head, easily driving in two runs and pushing the Dodgers' lead to 3-1. That double marked Ohtani’s 73rd RBI of the season. 

In a season filled with expectations and pressure, Ohtani has consistently delivered, both as a hitter and a pitcher, which makes his value to the Dodgers undeniable.

Burns had an up-and-down outing. Despite giving up three runs over 5 ⅔ innings, he struck out a career-high 10 batters, showing his raw potential. Burns allowed six hits on the night but managed to keep the Reds in the game with his ability to overpower hitters.

The Dodgers weren't content to rest on their laurels. They added insurance runs in the seventh inning, which would ultimately seal the deal. First, it was Hernández again, delivering a crucial RBI single that brought home a runner and pushed the lead to 4-1. Then, Freddie Freeman, another key figure in the Dodgers’ lineup, followed suit with an RBI single of his own, scoring Ohtani from second base. With the lead now at 5-1, the Dodgers had put the game out of reach for the Reds.

The Dodgers’ bullpen was put to the test in the ninth inning. Blake Treinen, activated from the injured list just the day before, made his return to the mound in a high-pressure situation. Unfortunately, Treinen got into trouble, allowing two hits, two walks, and one run, putting the potential tying run on base with the bases loaded.

That’s when Dave Roberts made a crucial decision, bringing in left-hander Jack Dreyer to close out the game. Dreyer came in and got the job done, retiring the final batter and securing the victory. Though Treinen’s struggles in his first appearance back from injury raised some concerns, the bullpen’s ability to finish the game with Dreyer’s save showcased the team’s depth and resilience in high-stakes moments.

With the Dodgers securing their 62nd win of the season and leading the division by 4 ½ games over San Diego and seven over San Francisco, the trade deadline is approaching, with deals that are exciting for the Dodgers. 

While they continue their playoff push with a roster that’s dealing with a handful of injuries, there's good news on the horizon. Max Muncy, who’s been sidelined with a nagging injury, is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment tomorrow with the Oklahoma City Comets. Muncy, who has been one of the Dodgers' most consistent power hitters this season, will be playing third base as he works his way back to full health. His return could give the team a much-needed boost as they continue to battle atop the NL standings.

Blake Snell’s long-awaited return to the Dodgers’ rotation is finally on the horizon, and it’s set to come with an extra layer of significance: the lefty will be taking the mound in Tampa Bay this weekend. The timing couldn’t be better for Snell to re-enter the rotation, as the Dodgers are gearing up for a tough stretch of games, and his experience and ability to perform in big moments could prove invaluable as the team inches closer to postseason play.

However, now that he’s ready, Snell’s start in Tampa Bay will mark a homecoming of sorts, as he spent the first part of his career with the Rays and won a Cy Young Award.

Unfortunately, the news isn’t as encouraging for Tony Gonsolin. The right-hander is still shut down from throwing after a setback in his recovery. There’s no clear timetable for when he’ll resume throwing, leaving a bit of a question mark on the back end of the Dodgers’ rotation. They’ll need to hope for some good news soon if Gonsolin is to make a meaningful impact before the playoffs.

Injury updates continue with Kiké Hernández, who is still not participating in baseball activities as he recovers from an elbow injury. Fortunately, it’s not considered season-ending at this point, so the Dodgers remain optimistic that he could return later in the year. The team will likely need some reinforcements for the postseason, and getting Kiké back could be key to their success.

In more roster news, Roberts decided to start Dalton Rushing again today, after Will Smith played the final three innings of Sunday’s game. Rushing will take the field in today’s game against the Reds, with Smith expected to play the next two. Roberts acknowledged that Rushing is getting a better matchup in this game, adding that it’s also an opportunity for him to get more experience as the team navigates the dog days of summer.

In light of rumors swirling about the Dodgers potentially "shopping" Rushing for a trade, Roberts shot down those speculations, saying, "I just don’t see a world in which he’s moved anyway,” Rushing said, who’s shown flashes of potential behind the plate, could be a key piece for the future, and the Dodgers seem committed to his development.

Top infield prospect Alex Freeland is expected to join the Dodgers in Cincinnati tomorrow. The 23-year-old is currently batting .253 with 12 home runs and 71 RBI, along with 17 stolen bases this season in Oklahoma City. Roberts mentioned that the Dodgers are considering a possible injured list move for either Hyeseong Kim, who is dealing with a left shoulder issue, or Tommy Edman, who re-aggravated his right ankle while running the bases yesterday.