Shohei Ohtani reached a career milestone Monday night, hitting his 299th home run as the Los Angeles Dodgers secured an 8-7 victory over the Colorado Rockies in the team's first extra-inning game of the season. The win marked the Dodgers' 60th of the year, extending their lead in the National League West.
Ohtani's two-run opposite-field blast in the third inning gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead, erasing an early deficit. He later drove in two more runs with a single in the fourth inning, contributing to a four-run rally that expanded the Dodgers' advantage to 6-1. The designated hitter is now one home run away from reaching 300 career major league homers. His 19th home run of the current season also brings him closer to breaking Hideki Matsui's record for most home runs by a Japanese-born player in MLB history.
The game saw several dramatic turns, including a ninth-inning blown save by Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott, who allowed the Rockies to tie the game after inheriting a three-run lead. In the 10th inning, a close play at home plate resulted in the clearing of both benches. The Dodgers ultimately clinched the win in the 11th inning on a walk-off single by catcher Dalton Rushing.
Dodgers pitcher Eric Lauer had a solid outing, limiting the Rockies to three runs and six hits over six innings. Lauer was acquired by the Dodgers for cash considerations two months prior and has since posted a 3.12 ERA in eight games with the team. Reliever Tanner Scott, despite a rare misstep in the ninth inning, has largely performed well this season, holding a 2.70 ERA through 39 games and 12 saves in the absence of closer Edwin Diaz.
The Dodgers will continue their series against the Rockies on Tuesday, with Justin Wrobleski scheduled to start for Los Angeles against Colorado's Michael Lorenzen.