Shohei Ohtani pitches three scoreless innings in Dodgers' win as he ramps up pitch count
Working as an opener for the fifth time this season after not pitching in all of 2024, Ohtani threw 36 pitches, 25 for strikes while serving as Los Angeles' opener for the fifth time this season.
Advertisement
He allowed one hit and struck out the side on 12 pitches in the first inning when his fastball was twice clocked at 99.9 mph.
'Overall a very efficient outing,' Ohtani said through an interpreter. 'I was glad that I was able to prevent runs and we were able to keep the lead throughout the game.'
The Giants only two runners against Ohtani came on a four-pitch walk to Jung Hoo Lee in the second inning and Mike Yastrzemski's single in the third.
Advertisement
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted a difference in Ohtani's mindset when he's on the mound.
'You can just see it. … that different demeanor that he carries on days that he pitches,' Roberts said. 'He really is very smart as far as being astute and knowing where we're at and knowing that this is an important win for us, an important day. He brought that intensity today. It's not overt but you can feel it.'
Ohtani threw 19 pitches that were at least 97 mph.
Shohei Ohtani pitched three scoreless innings in the Dodgers' 2-1 win over the Giants on July 11, 2025.
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Advertisement
'Aside from the stuff, I'm more happy with the command of my pitches and being able to attack the zone,' Ohtani said. 'Today was one of those days where my fastball felt pretty good, so I leaned on it a little bit more today.'
The two-way Japanese star, who did not pitch in all of 2024, was also the team's designated hitter and hit in the leadoff. He grounded out in his first two at-bats and then struck out twice.
Ohtani has allowed one run and five hits over nine innings this season.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Will Giants' Darius Alexander cash 'winning lottery ticket' learning from Dexter Lawrence?
EAST RUTHERFORD - NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah kept coming back to three letters in his notes as he ripped through video highlights of Darius Alexander. V-E-T. He had just finished watching the Eagles do what they did to the Chiefs' offensive line in the Super Bowl, and when his film study for the NFL Draft turned to Alexander, the evaluation struck a championship-level dominant tone. Advertisement Violent. Explosive. Twitchy. That was the essence of Jeremiah's scouting report for Alexander, and those undeniable traits jumped out for the New York Giants as well when they opted to select Alexander at the top of the third round. In what promised to be such a deep class of defensive linemen rich with talent, it was beyond time that the Giants find someone to complement Dexter Lawrence while magnifying the production of a player considered by many to be the best of his generation at the position. That chance to attack single blocks because of opponents' "four hands" approach in trying to slow down Lawrence will be in play this summer with the Giants seeking the right complement to their best player, especially with what they have added to the defensive front with the addition of Abdul Carter to a group that already included Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Advertisement And as the rookies report for training camp Tuesday, one week before the rest of the team arrives, it's Alexander who can seize the opportunity to prove to the Giants he is ready to cash in. "It can be winning lottery ticket playing next to Dex," one league source told and The Record during this year's NFL Draft. "So what it comes down to: are you good enough to cash it? And [Alexander] has a chance to be that kind of player." Eat Rutherford, NJ -- May 9, 2025 -- Darius Alexander loosens up during warm ups at Giants Rookie Minicamp. The true impact of Alexander won't be felt until the pads come on, and we missed seeing much of the 6-foot-X, 3XX-pounder in the spring, as he was relegated to individual drills if not rehabbing with the training staff as he worked through an undisclosed injury. Advertisement The Giants were seemingly playing it smart with a player they believe can have an important role up front, and with that expectation as the backdrop, the sight of Alexander and Lawrence working out together with renowned private defensive line coach Mark Hall was significant. Unlike Russell Wilson with the presence of Jaxson Dart, Lawrence won't be getting many questions about being a mentor to Alexander, nor should he. There is another level for a player of Lawrence's caliber to reach, and while it's not a straight-up student-teacher relationship, any secrets he can share to speed up the learning curve could impact the entire defense - including where Lawrence winds up taking his already exceptional game. When Lawrence first connected with Hall, he was the ascending player hoping to follow in the footsteps of proven star defensive linemen DeForest Buckner and Kenny Clark, among others. Today, Lawrence sets the standard - and his newest Giants teammate, Alexander, is the one training alongside the All-Pro doing whatever he can to ultimately follow that path. Advertisement "Every chance I get, I'm telling Dex in his ear: 'Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame,' because that's the next step for him," Hall told and The Record in a recent phone interview. "Dex never talks about that kind of stuff, but I know he hears me, it's definitely there. But he's motivated by what's in front of him: dominating play to play, day to day, week to week, and he's just so dynamic. To get to where he can go, there's another level most players can't think of going. The challenge is raising his game and doing that for everyone around him." Oct 6, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images Alexander's performance in practice during the week at the Senior Bowl during the pre-draft process helped him prove his talent was not limited to smaller school competition. His versatility was on display and ESPN analyst Jordan Reid said he was 'unblockable' in one-on-one drills with strong hands and surprising quickness against top offensive line prospects. "You have to be a technician," Giants defensive line coach Andre Patterson said. "You gotta have a quest to master your technique. That's what makes you play as a d-lineman long in this league. If you're just basing your game off of, 'I got great talent,' it's gonna catch up to you and you're not gonna be around very long. So, they hear that message from the time they walk in the room. To have a guy like Dex sitting in the room and they can see what he became once I got here, because he became a great technician and that took his God given talent to another level." Advertisement Much of Alexander's work with the Giants so far has been in the classroom, and ultimately how fast he can learn how offensive lines in the NFL attack schematically will determine not just his playing time, but his production. "He's long, explosive, quick - he's a smooth athlete," Hall said of Alexander. "If you're a 3-tech, you're licking your chops to play next to someone like Dex with those 1-on-1 situations. This is Darius' first year, so I'd expect a lot of quick, vertical moves playing off of that attention. He's going to make mistakes, he's a rookie, but I'm guessing they're going to want to see those mistakes at full speed. His defensive line IQ will be everything - that's the key." More attention to Lawrence creates lanes to the quarterback, obviously, and when that happens, if the Giants can flash their potential, it'll create near-impossible scenarios for the opposition. "They've got pieces, that's for sure," Hall said. "If everything comes together, the Giants are going to be fun to watch." This article originally appeared on Darius Alexander, Dexter Lawrence together is 'winning lottery ticket'
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
2025 MLB All-Star Game MVP Prediction, Pick: Back Long Shot Kyle Stowers
The Midsummer Classic is upon us, with the National League hosting the American League on Tuesday night at Truist Park in Atlanta. For some, the MLB All-Star break is a welcome opportunity to relax and recharge the batteries before the second half of the season. Others (and I'll include myself here) are bored without baseball during the summer, and we want some action before play resumes Friday! The American League has dominated the All-Star Game in recent years, winning 10 out of the last 11 matchups. Does that trend continue, or does the National League punch back and get just its second win since 2012? I've thought all year that the National League has more contenders and is the slightly more talented league. But does that translate to a one-game exhibition setting on Tuesday night? While both teams are stacked with dominant pitching and outstanding hitters, both teams also saw their fair share of opt-outs due to either nagging injuries or pitchers who started this past weekend not wanting to pitch on short rest. However, what I prefer to focus on is the All-Star Game MVP market. Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, to nobody's surprise, are the favorites to win All-Star Game MVP, with both players around 6-1 odds. The nature of the All-Star Game is usually close and low-scoring, and lends itself to someone winning MVP with a late hit that wins the game. With starters usually getting just an at-bat or two, the players who come off the bench are the ones who might have a good chance of winning this award. Last year, Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran had 50-1 odds and broke a 3-3 tie with a fifth-inning home run that earned him MVP, as nobody scored the rest of the game. Two years ago, a 2-2 tie was broken late by then-Rockies catcher Elias Diaz, who homered to give the National League a 3-2 win, and Diaz captured honors at incredible 200-1 odds. So my advice would be to find a position player who isn't a starter and take a shot with them at some longer odds. Admittedly, it's very hard to handicap because so much of winning MVP comes down to getting an at-bat at the right time, ideally with players on base with a chance to win the game late. Only two pitchers have won this award in recent memory. Mariano Rivera won in 2013 (his final year in the majors) when the game was in New York, and Shane Bieber in 2019, when the game was in Cleveland. Both were sentimental choices, considering where the game was played, so I'd stick with a hitter when trying to find this year's winner. And that's why I'm eyeing Kyle Stowers. The Marlins' slugger comes into this game hot. He went 5-for-5 with three home runs in his last game prior to the break, tallying seven hits over the three-game series against his former team, the Orioles, this past weekend. He fits the profile. He's a bench player who can win the game late with a big hit, and you're getting monster odds at 100-1. While the game is a coin-flip, I do think the National League is slightly better, so I opted for an NL player. Brent Rooker (65-1) and Pete Alonso (45-1) were also players I considered, but I'm going with the underrated Stowers to jump into the National spotlight and win All-Star Game MVP. PICK: Kyle Stowers (+10000) to win MLB All-Star Game MVP Will Hill, a contributor on the Bears Bets Podcast, has been betting on sports for over a decade. He is a betting analyst who has been a host on VSiN, as well as the Goldboys Network. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
NBC Sports
6 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Seattle's Cal Raleigh becomes first catcher and switch-hitter to win Home Run Derby
Eric Samulski breaks down why San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp and Detroit Tigers third baseman Colt Keith both need to be rostered in fantasy baseball leagues. ATLANTA (AP) — Seattle's Cal Raleigh won his first All-Star Home Run Derby after leading the big leagues in long balls going into the break, defeating Tampa Bay's Junior Caminero 18-15 in the final round Monday night. The Mariners' breakout slugger nicknamed Big Dumper advanced from the first round on a tiebreaker by less than an inch over the Athletics' Brent Rooker, then won his semifinal 19-13 over Pittsburgh's Oneil Cruz, whose 513-foot first-round drive over Truist Park's right-center field seats was the longest of the night. Hitting second in the final round, the 22-year-old Caminero closed within three dingers, took three pitches and hit a liner to left field. Becoming the first switch-hitter and first catcher to win the title, Raleigh had reached the All-Star break with a major league-leading 38 home runs. He became the second Mariners player to take the title after three-time winner Ken Griffey Jr. 'Usually the guy that's leading the league in homers doesn't win the whole thing,' Raleigh said. 'That's as surprising to me as anybody else.' Raleigh was pitched to by his father, Todd, former coach of Tennessee and Western Carolina. His younger brother Todd Raleigh Jr. did the catching. 'Just to do it with my family was awesome,' Raleigh said. Just the second Derby switch-hitter after Baltimore's Adley Rutschman in 2023, Raleigh hit his first eight left-handed, took a timeout, then hit seven right-handed. Going back to lefty, he then hit two more in the bonus round and stayed lefty for the semifinals and the final. Caminero beat Minnesota's Byron Buxton 8-7 in the other semifinal. Atlanta's Matt Olson, Washington's James Wood, the New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Rooker were eliminated in the first round of the annual power show. Cruz and Caminero each hit 21 long balls and Buxton had 20 in the opening round. Raleigh and Rooker had 17 apiece, but Raleigh advanced on the tiebreaker of their longest homer, 470.61 feet to 470.53.
