Shohei Ohtani stole his 49th base and got closer to becoming the first player in major league history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season, as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Miami Marlins 8-4 on Wednesday night.
Ohtani, who started the game just two steals and two home runs away from each mark, got a single to begin the game and then stole second base. In his next four at-bats, he flew out to left field, struck out twice, and hit a line drive to right field before striking out again.
“What a season – it is remarkable that he can hit as a DH but what’s more remarkable is that he keeps his legs loose to be able to steal,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Tommy Edman hit his sixth home run in the last eight games for the Dodgers, who lead the NL West with a record of 90-62, staying 3 1/2 games ahead of second-place San Diego.
Enrique Hernández and Will Smith also hit home runs, while Freddie Freeman contributed three hits. The Dodgers reached 90 wins for the 11th straight season in a 162-game schedule.
“It’s pretty impressive. It’s one of the best organizations in baseball as far as consistency of winning,” Roberts said. “You can’t take it for granted because getting to play in October isn’t a rite of passage for any organization.”
Dodgers starter Landon Knack (3-4) pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only two hits. He walked two batters and struck out seven, bouncing back after a tough outing in which he gave up five runs and seven hits in just two innings against Atlanta last Friday.
“Obviously, not happy with that one,” Knack said. “I was very angry and ready to bounce back.”
Smith gave the Dodgers an early lead with a solo home run in the second inning, driving a fastball from Miami starter Ryan Weathers over the left field wall for his 19th home run of the season.
