HOUSTON –– The first four innings were frustrating. The next five were futile.
Just when it looked like the Dodgers were emerging from their recent offensive slump, havingwon back-to-back gameswith 12 total runs the previous two days, the team came right back down to earth on Tuesday in a 2-1 loss to the Houston Astros.
The night’s biggest story, of course, wasShohei Ohtani.
For the third time in his last four pitching starts this year, thetwo-way starwas given a one-way task, removed from the lineup as designated hitter to focus only on his duties atop the mound.
He responded by producing a seven-inning, two-run, eight-strikeout start –– making only two real mistakes on home runs given up to Christian Walker in the second and Branden Shewmake in the third.
The problem: The Dodgers (22-14) watched their Ohtani-less lineup go back in the tank.
The team squandered several golden chances early on, leaving six men on base through the first four frames, including a wasted bases-loaded opportunity in the fourth.
And from there, things got even worse. Astros right-hander Peter Lambert retired nine of his final 10 batters to complete a scoreless seven-inning start; the first the Astros (15-22) have gotten all season from their league-worst pitching staff.
The Houston bullpen gave up one run in the eighth on a Kyle Tucker RBI single, but did enough otherwise to keep the lead intact.
For as good as Ohtani has been as a pitcher –– finishing Tuesday with an MLB-best 0.97 ERA –– his inability to impact the offense remains a problem.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
