Dodgers offense breaks out behind Shohei Ohtani's 2-HR game - ESPN

DENVER — Maybe just as encouraging for the Los Angeles Dodgers as their bats finally waking up Monday night was the status report on Shohei Ohtani's knee following his most recent bullpen session.

«Felt good the next day,» Ohtani said through an interpreter after the Dodgers' 11-5 win over the Colorado Rockies.

Ohtani is slated for another bullpen session on Tuesday. He hasn't pitched in a game since July 3 due to irritation in his left knee, but he may be trending in the right direction.

«That's the hope, and that's the reason why we've been pretty careful in the rehab process,» said Ohtani, who's 8-2 on the mound this season with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 85⅔ innings. «That's the ideal outcome — to make sure that I come back as soon as possible.»

Ohtani and the Dodgers certainly found an easy solution to their recent offensive woes — playing at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

The designated hitter had a pair of homers — the 25th multihomer game of his career — and Max Muncy added a three-run shot to highlight the offensive explosion.

The 11 runs were the most by Los Angeles since a 12-7 win over San Diego on July 2. This after entering Monday averaging 3.4 runs per game over a stretch that saw them drop 11 of 16.

«Collectively, I liked everything,» Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. «That's who we are. That's what we've been searching for, for quite some time.»

Ohtani finished 4-for-5 and has now hit safely in 21 straight games at Coors Field. Over the streak, he has nine homers and 24 RBIs while hitting .413.

«Just trying to feel good at the plate, just making sure that I'm not too tense,» Ohtani explained of his approach in the Mile High City. «Just really making sure that I'm contact-oriented. So those are the