05/18/24 12:20:00
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05/18 00:18 CDT Ohtani hits 2-run homer and scores go-ahead run on his special
day in LA as Dodgers beat Reds 7-3
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."
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.
Mookie 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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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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