MIAMI (AP) — Shohei Ohtani stole his 49th base and moved one step closer to becoming the first player in major league history with 50 home runs and 50 steals in a season as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Miami Marlins 8-4 on Wednesday night.
Ohtani, who had started the day two runs behind any mark, hit a single to open the game and then grabbed second base. He flew out to left, struck out, struck out to right and struck out in his next four batting appearances.
“What a season – it’s remarkable that he can hit as a DH, but even more remarkable that he keeps his legs loose to be able to steal,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Tommy Edman hit his sixth home run in eight games for the NL West-leading Dodgers (90-62), who remained 3 1/2 games ahead of second-place San Diego. Enrique Hernández and Will Smith also hit home runs and Freddie Freeman had three hits.
The Dodgers achieved 90 wins in 162 games for the eleventh consecutive season.
“It’s pretty impressive. It’s one of the best organizations in baseball in terms of winning consistency,” Roberts said. “You can’t take that for granted because being able to play in October isn’t a rite of passage for any organization.”
Dodgers starter Landon Knack (3-4) allowed two hits in five scoreless innings. He managed two walks and seven strikeouts. For Knack, this performance was a disappointment from his last start, when he allowed five runs and seven hits in two innings against Atlanta last Friday.
“Of course I’m not happy with it,” said Knack. “I was very angry and ready to fight back.”
Smith gave Los Angeles an early lead with his solo home run in the second. He smashed a fastball from Miami starter Ryan Weathers over the wall in left for his 19th home run.
The Dodgers tied the game with a five-run fourth against Weathers (3-6). Edman hit a two-run homer and Hernández added a three-run drive.
“I’ve developed some bad habits and I’m working hard to change them,” Edman said of his recent burst of energy. “It’s a work in progress, but I think it’s getting better.”
Miami narrowed the deficit in the seventh inning with Otto López’s two-run single against Zach Logue and Nick Fortes’ sacrifice fly against Blake Treinen.
Chris Taylor extended Los Angeles’ lead with a two-run single in the eighth inning.
Weathers’ appearance ended with one out in the fifth inning after Freeman’s double. The left-hander, making his first appearance since June 7, allowed six runs and eight hits and struck out five players. He was sidelined with a strained left index finger.
“I was glad to be back,” Weathers said. “I wish I could have thrown the ball better.”
With 17,138 spectators on Wednesday, the Marlins reached a total of 1,007,039 spectators this season, surpassing only the Oakland A’s.
Before the game, the Dodgers activated right-handed reliever Joe Kelly from the injured list and optioned Logue’s contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Kelly relieved Knack and threw a perfect sixth pitch. The club sent right-handed pitchers Bobby Miller and Michael Grove to Oklahoma City.
TRAINING ROOM
Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (left big toe spur) pitched a bullpen session Wednesday, and Roberts viewed it as an important step in his rehab. … INF Miguel Rojas was withdrawn at short notice because he “didn’t feel well,” Roberts said.
Marlins: RHP Max Meyer (right shoulder bursitis) is continuing his rehab program at the club’s spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla. He will be evaluated for a possible throwing program in the next few days.
Next
RHP Jack Flaherty (12-7, 3.04) will start the series finale for the Dodgers on Thursday, while the Marlins will start with RHP Edward Cabrera (4-7, 4.55).
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