Los Angeles’ struggles continued Tuesday with another defeat to San Francisco, a 6-2 loss that extended the Dodgers’ losing streak to four games, with each setback coming by at least four runs. It marked the franchise’s first such stretch since July 1-4, 1936, when the team was still based in Brooklyn.
The recent downturn has been severe for the reigning two-time World Series champions, who have dropped 14 of their last 23 contests. That slide has pushed Los Angeles out of first place in the NL West, leaving them trailing the Padres.
While the broader team picture remains troubling, one positive development emerged during the game as Ohtani delivered a much-needed home run.
Ohtani breaks out after matching longest homerless run with Dodgers
Ohtani ended an 11-game stretch without a home run when he sent an opposite-field shot out in the third inning against the Giants. The drought matched the longest homerless spell of his Dodgers tenure.
Even with that swing, his recent production has been unusually quiet by his standards. Over his last 27 games, Ohtani has gone deep only twice.
Manager Dave Roberts said the moment appeared to bring visible relief to his star player, noting Ohtani smiled and laughed afterward. Roberts also emphasized that when Ohtani performs at his usual level offensively, it energizes the clubhouse and helps teammates relax.
Workload management remains key as Roberts monitors fatigue
Despite the home run, Roberts said Ohtani would still sit out as a hitter on both Wednesday and Thursday in an effort to manage his physical demands.
Wednesday will mark the third time in his last four starts that Ohtani pitches without also appearing in the lineup as a batter, while on Thursday he will be entirely out of action. Roberts believes the demands of returning to full two-way duties are impacting Ohtani’s mechanics at the plate.
According to Roberts, fatigue appears to be affecting Ohtani earlier than it might for most players because of the added burden created by pitching responsibilities alongside hitting.
Dominant on the mound, less explosive at the plate
As a pitcher, Ohtani has been outstanding, posting a 0.97 ERA with 42 strikeouts and nine walks across six starts totaling 37 innings.
Offensively, however, his numbers have been more modest. He is batting .240 with a .370 on-base percentage and a .427 slugging percentage while hitting seven home runs. Though those figures would be strong for many players, they represent a step below Ohtani’s usual production.
This season is his first as a full-time two-way player since 2023, when he was still with the Angels prior to undergoing his second UCL surgery. He served only as a hitter throughout 2024 and the first half of 2025 before returning to the mound last June through a gradual buildup.
Now in the third year of his heavily deferred 10-year, $700 million deal, Ohtani continues balancing elite pitching with the challenge of rediscovering his top offensive form.