Shohei Ohtani hit a home run and got three runs batted in, while Will Smith also hit two homers as the Los Angeles Dodgers won 10-3 against the New York Mets, completing a three-game sweep on Wednesday.
Smith’s second home run was a solo shot that put the Dodgers ahead in the eighth inning, which led to a six-run rally, including Ohtani’s two-run homer.
Miguel Vargas got a bloop double driving in two runs, and Miguel Rojas hit an RBI single during another collapse by the Mets bullpen. “That’s where we won the ballgame, just putting the exclamation point on with those guys,” said Smith.
Jason Heyward hit a triple as a pinch-hitter in the eighth and added a solo homer in the ninth. Rojas had a career-high four hits out of Los Angeles’ 16.
“A lot of good things happened. A lot of good situational at-bats, two-strike hitting,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Ohtani also got an RBI single. He had been struggling, going 7-for-37 since his last home run on May 17 against Cincinnati.
“We talked about it earlier today, and I just felt he was on his way as long as he’s swinging at good pitches,” said Roberts.
Ohtani’s 14th homer came off reliever Jorge López, who was ejected for arguing with the third base umpire over a checked swing call. After the game, López said he didn’t regret the outburst, and the Mets began the process of designating him for assignment.
New York (22-33) has been struggling, losing 10 of 12 and 15 of 19. After the latest loss, the Mets held a players-only meeting initiated by shortstop Francisco Lindor.
“We just opened the floor and talked about ways that we can turn it around,” said outfielder Brandon Nimmo, adding the meeting was positive and very constructive. “Just felt like a boiling-over point.”
