Shohei Ohtani delivered another impressive performance, going 2-for-5 against the Colorado Rockies, which boosted his batting average to .310. This puts him in close contention for the batting title against Luis Arráez, who is currently hitting .314 but was not in the lineup for the San Diego Padres.
With only one game remaining in the regular season, Ohtani is determined to become the first player in the National League to achieve the Triple Crown since 1937, an accomplishment last achieved in Major League Baseball by Miguel Cabrera in 2012.
As Ohtani pushes for the title, he leads the NL in several key offensive categories, including home runs (54) and RBIs (130). The last NL player to secure a Triple Crown was Joe Medwick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1937.
Ohtani’s manager, Dave Roberts, acknowledged the challenge ahead but expressed hope that Arráez would play in the final game, allowing for an exciting race for the batting title. Ohtani’s accomplishments this season are particularly noteworthy, as he also recently became the first player to achieve a 50-50 season, stealing his 58th base during Saturday’s game.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who are headed for the playoffs, showcased their offensive strength by defeating the Rockies 13-2, marking a significant performance with 18 hits in total.
Teoscar Hernandez and Enrique Hernandez each contributed three-run home runs, helping the Dodgers score 11 or more runs in consecutive games for the first time since July 2022. Teoscar Hernandez is on the verge of achieving 100 RBIs for the season, while the team’s overall success reflects their preparation and determination as they clinched the best record in Major League Baseball.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto earned his first win since June after a lengthy recovery from a shoulder injury, pitching five solid innings and striking out six batters. His performance added to the Dodgers’ strong showing, helping them secure home-field advantage throughout the postseason after the Philadelphia Phillies lost earlier in the day. The victory underscored the importance of hard work and teamwork as the Dodgers set their sights on the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Rockies continue to struggle, suffering their 100th loss of the season, marking a second consecutive year of reaching that milestone. Manager Bud Black acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by the team and emphasized the need for perspective on their performance moving forward.
The game also marked a significant moment for Charlie Blackmon, who is set to retire after 14 seasons with the Rockies, highlighting both the team’s struggles and the individual milestones within this season’s narrative.
