The Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a wild pitching feat Wednesday night, setting a new franchise record with 19 strikeouts in a nine-inning game against the Cincinnati Reds. Shohei Ohtani led the charge in his longest outing since joining the team.
The Dodgers’ rotation and bullpen just overpowered Reds hitters. It wasn’t just a win—it felt like a message: this team’s deep, talented, and rolling with serious momentum toward October.
Ohtani Shines in Longest Dodgers Outing Yet
Shohei Ohtani took the mound for his first five-inning start in Dodger blue. He piled up nine strikeouts, setting the tone early and keeping Reds hitters off balance with nasty velocity and movement.
This outing marked a big step forward in Ohtani’s workload. The Dodgers finally have him fully stretched out as a starter, and you could sense the excitement in the stadium.
Dominance Beyond the Starter
Ohtani’s performance grabbed the headlines, but the Dodgers’ bullpen made sure the record night was a team effort. Jack Dreyer, Justin Wrobleski, Edgardo Henriquez, and Blake Treinen handled the rest, combining for 10 more strikeouts.
Each reliever brought something different, keeping Cincinnati guessing and stalling out any hope for a rally. The Reds just couldn’t get comfortable.
A Record-Breaking Night for the History Books
Before this, the Dodgers had hit 18 strikeouts in a nine-inning game five times, most recently in 2015 when Clayton Kershaw dominated the Giants. Now, this 19-strikeout effort stands alone as the franchise’s best in a standard-length contest.
It also matched the 2024 MLB season high already hit by the Blue Jays, Braves, and Astros. Not bad company to keep, right?
Dodgers’ Strikeout Surge in August
Manager Dave Roberts has to be thrilled. In August, Dodgers pitchers have posted a 25.7% strikeout rate—second-best in the majors and their best month this year.
During their three-game series against Cincinnati, the Dodgers racked up 42 strikeouts. That’s a 39.6% strikeout rate—just a wild number for any team, let alone one gearing up for the playoffs.
The Franchise’s Legacy of Whiffs
The Dodgers have built a reputation for strikeout-heavy games over the years. They’ve had several 18-strikeout nine-inning games and even a 26-strikeout marathon in 2017 during an extra-inning game, which tied the MLB record.
This latest achievement adds another chapter to their tradition of elite pitching. It’s honestly kind of fun to watch them chase these milestones.
Why This Record Matters Now
This isn’t just about numbers. The Dodgers are throwing at full strength, and Ohtani going deeper into games brings stability to the rotation.
With a bullpen that can match the starters’ dominance, Los Angeles looks capable of overpowering any lineup. As October approaches, that mix of power pitching and depth could make all the difference.
Key Highlights from the Historic Night
Here’s what stood out from the Dodgers’ record-setting performance:
- Ohtani’s Nine Ks: His most dominant start yet for the Dodgers, mixing strikeout power with smart pitch count management.
- Four Relievers, Ten Ks: Dreyer, Wrobleski, Henriquez, and Treinen shut down any hopes of a Reds comeback.
- 42 Ks in the Series: The Dodgers didn’t just dominate for one game—they did it all series long.
- Franchise Record in 9 Innings: They broke a standard-game mark that stood for decades. That’s something to remember.
Looking Ahead
The Reds are probably relieved to leave Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the Dodgers seem eager to ride this momentum through August and into the fall.
If their rotation and bullpen keep pitching like this, who’s going to stop them? A deep playoff run suddenly feels more than just possible.
Strikeouts aren’t the only way to win, but when the Dodgers rack them up like this, it’s suffocating for the other team. The 19-strikeout night against Cincinnati isn’t just a stat—it’s a message to the rest of baseball: these Dodgers are dialed in, and when their pitching staff is on, beating them feels nearly impossible.
Here is the source article for this story: Dodgers set franchise record with 19 strikeouts in 9-inning game
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