DENVER — Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani had a forgettable outing in his first career pitching start against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
Ohtani left Wednesday’s game after giving up five earned runs and nine hits in four innings, and getting hit in the leg by a line drive.
With runners at second and third and one out in the fourth inning, Ohtani got hit by a 93 mph liner off the bat of Colorado’s Orlando Arcia on his right leg that caused him to limp and grimace in pain. The ball struck the reigning National League MVP and ricocheted toward the first-base line. Ohtani gave chase and grabbed the ball on the line, spun to make a throw, but had no play as a runner scored.
After a mound visit from manager Dave Roberts and team medical personnel, Ohtani stayed in the game and got the last two outs of the inning, with the Dodgers trailing 5-0 at the time. The Dodgers lost to Colorado 8-3.
Alex Call, who struck out. Ohtani finished with a double and a walk, and extended his on-base streak to 18 games.
Roberts said he was «confident» Ohtani would play Friday against the San Diego Padres. Even before the injury, Ohtani was scheduled to sit out Thursday’s series finale against the Rockies.
He entered Wednesday without a decision and a 3.47 ERA. This season, he hasn’t thrown more than 4⅓ innings or 80 pitches. Against the MLB-worst Rockies, he threw 66 pitches, 49 for strikes.
Ohtani is batting .284 with 44 homers, one behind NL-leading Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies, with 83 RBIs.
