Dodgers' Ohtani strikes out in first 4 plate appearances - ESPN

CINCINNATI — Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani had another first in his MLB career.

Ohtani struck out in his first four plate appearances Tuesday night against the Cincinnati Reds, the first time he has done that in his eight seasons and 981 games in the majors.

It is the sixth time the Japanese superstar and reigning NL MVP has struck out four times in a game. It is the second time this season, with the other coming against San Diego on June 17.

Against the Seattle Mariners on July 17, 2021, while playing for the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani popped up to the shortstop in his first at-bat and then struck out in his next four times at the plate.

Despite Ohtani's tough night, the Dodgers rallied for a 5-4 victory on an RBI double by Will Smith in the ninth inning.

«Tonight, I just don't think he saw [Cincinnati starter Nick] Lodolo well at all, clearly. And I think he just got into swing mode,» manager Dave Roberts said. «When he's [at his] best, he's getting the baseball up, and he's using the big part of the field. And especially in this ballpark where he doesn't need to go to right field. But tonight, just one of those nights that he just couldn't help him help himself from swinging.»

Ohtani came into the game on a nine-game hitting streak, where he had gone 11-for-36 with six home runs 13 RBIs and nine runs scored.

Lodolo became the 13th pitcher to strike out Ohtani three times in a game. The Reds left-hander got Ohtani to chase a curveball out of the strike zone in the first and fifth innings, and got him looking on a 94.6 mph fastball in the third.

«I was going right after him. I definitely threw some good heaters in some good spots, and I was able to spin the ball well, too,» Lodolo said.

Graham Ashcraft