Ohtani's Tough Night on the Mound Ends in Frustration as Dodgers Suffer Late Collapse

PITTSBURGH — On a sweltering Wednesday evening, Shohei Ohtani left the mound at PNC Park feeling discontent. The ace pitcher was pulled mid-inning for the first time this season, marking a rare moment of frustration for the four-time MVP. As he handed the ball to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Ohtani, who is vying for his first Cy Young award, had already proven he could perform under pressure, despite the outcome of the game.

Ohtani's outing saw him throw 102 pitches over 6 2/3 innings, where he recorded three earned runs, six hits, and three walks. His performance took a downward turn when Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe hit a two-out double in the seventh inning, forcing Ohtani out of the game. This inning was notable for Ohtani's ERA, which increased from an impressive 0.74 to 1.06 after the outing.

“Going into that inning, the pitch count was pretty, relatively low,” Ohtani commented through interpreter Will Ireton, denying that fatigue was a factor. He acknowledged a misstep on a crucial 3-0 pitch that ultimately led to his exit from the game. Despite the setback, he maintained that he felt strong throughout his time on the mound.

Ohtani's blister on his right middle finger remains a concern, but he downplayed its impact on his performance. The only real blemish on his night before being pulled was a stunning home run hit by rookie Tyler Callihan that soared out of the stadium. Even with the unfortunate outcome, Ohtani expressed confidence in his abilities moving forward.

As the Dodgers employ a six-man rotation, Ohtani's total innings pitched could fall short compared to his competitors for the Cy Young award. With only 25 starts anticipated this season, he may end up with around 150 innings, a number that could weigh heavily on his candidacy. Still, Corbin Burnes won the trophy in 2021 with fewer innings than his closest rival, demonstrating that success is not solely measured in volume.

This game was particularly significant for catcher Dalton Rushing, who was filling in for the injured Will Smith and caught Ohtani for the first time this season. Ohtani noted that their lack of prior experience together may have contributed to some missed opportunities in the game. The combination of their inexperience and the Dodgers' late-game collapse against the Pirates only added to the frustration of the night.