Ohtani hits 2-run homer and scores go-ahead run on his special day in LA as Dodgers beat Reds 7-3
By BETH HARRIS
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani slugged a two-run homer and scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning when the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied after blowing a 3-0 lead to beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-3 on Friday night.
Earlier, the Los Angeles city council proclaimed May 17 as Shohei Ohtani Day in the city for as long as the Japanese two-way superstar plays for the Dodgers. He signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract in December.
Ohtani bounced back after being hitless in two at-bats on his first bobblehead night Thursday. The promotion snarled traffic outside Dodger Stadium and created long lines of fans clamoring for one of the 40,000 souvenirs, some of which were quickly offered for sale online at exorbitant prices.
“He didn’t homer on his bobblehead day, so he was due,” manager Dave Roberts said. “That was a ball down below the zone or at the knees and to hit it the other way, spin it really well, a big hit. We just marvel at what he does.”
Ohtani’s 30 extra-base hits are tied with former Dodger and Hall of Famer Duke Snider for the most through the team’s first 47 games. Ohtani and teammate Mookie Betts are the only players in the majors with over 100 total bases this season.
Tied at 3, Will Smith singled in Ohtani, who grounded into a fielder’s choice to first and was safe at second on a throwing error by shortstop Elly De La Cruz. The Dodgers made it 5-3 when Freddie Freeman scored on a wild pitch by Fernando Cruz (1-5) that sailed to the backstop.
Fresh off the injured list, Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer in the eighth, extending the lead to 7-3.
“Awesome to be back out there. I’ll never take it for granted,” he said. “I hate missing games.”
Michael Grove (2-2) got the win with one inning of relief.
Betts homered leading off the bottom of the first for the Dodgers, who avoided their second three-game losing streak of the season.
Ohtani went deep to straightaway left field in the third for his 13th homer of the season.
“The ball comes off hot, but when he goes to left field the right way, he spins the ball the right way and that’s why there’s more carry as well,” Roberts said. “When he takes a good swing on a ball the other way, I’m not surprised it goes out.”
Betts scored after a fielder’s choice groundout to shortstop, giving the Dodgers a 3-0 lead.
Betts’ throwing error led to Jonathan India scoring the Reds’ first run in the fourth.
“Making errors really, really bothers me. Just got to be better than that,” said Betts, who switched to shortstop from right field this season. “I’ve definitely made some strides, but they’ve been some pretty short strides.”
Cincinnati got solo shots by Stuart Fairchild in the fifth and Tyler Stephenson with two outs in the sixth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Reds: Placed LHP Justin Wilson (left shoulder tightness) on the 15-day injured list.
Dodgers: INF Max Muncy (right oblique strain) went on the 10-day IL. He felt it during batting practice Thursday and an MRI on Friday showed a mild strain. … Transferred RHP Connor Brogdon (right plantar fasciitis) to the 60-day IL.
UP NEXT
Reds RHP Graham Ashcraft (3-2, 4.12 ERA) starts Saturday against Dodgers RHP Walker Buehler (0-1, 7.36), who goes in his third game of the season.
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