Michael Conforto had three hits and scored twice, while Shohei Ohtani pitched three scoreless innings in another encouraging step back on the mound in his recovery from elbow surgery, as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Francisco Giants 2-1 on Saturday to end a seven-game losing streak.
Conforto, who played for the Giants for two seasons, reached on an infield single in the first inning and scored on Tommy Edman’s groundout. He later singled with two outs in the sixth and scored on Hyeseong Kim’s hit.
Working as an opener for the fifth time this season after not pitching in all of last year, Ohtani threw 36 pitches, 25 for strikes while serving as Los Angeles’ opener for the fifth time this season. He allowed one hit and struck out the side on 12 pitches in the first inning when his fastball was twice clocked at 99.9mph (160.7kmph).
Photo: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / USA Today
“Overall, a very efficient outing,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “I was glad that I was able to prevent runs, and we were able to keep the lead throughout the game.”
The Giants’ only two runners against Ohtani came on a four-pitch walk to Jung Hoo-lee in the second inning and Mike Yastrzemski’s single in the third.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he saw a difference in Ohtani’s mindset when he is on the mound.
“You can just see it, that different demeanor that he carries on days that he pitches,” Roberts said. “He really is very smart as far as being astute and knowing where we’re at and knowing that this is an important win for us, an important day. He brought that intensity today. It’s not overt, but you can feel it.”
Ohtani threw 19 pitches that were at least 97 mph.
“Aside from the stuff, I’m more happy with the command of my pitches and being able to attack the zone,” Ohtani said. “Today was one of those days where my fastball felt pretty good, so I leaned on it a little bit more today.”
The two-way Japanese star was also the team’s designated hitter and hit in the leadoff. He grounded out in his first two at-bats and then struck out twice.
Ohtani has allowed one run and five hits over nine innings this season.
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