Shohei Ohtani Hits Triple Play, Homers as Angels Beat Dodgers

On a night packed with heartbreak and heroics, Shohei Ohtani delivered one of the most electric individual performances the Freeway Series has ever seen.

The Dodgers lost 7-6 in extra innings to the Angels on August 12 in Anaheim. Ohtani hit into a triple play, then later smashed a clutch home run that briefly put his team ahead.

Still, the game ended in disappointment for Los Angeles. That’s three straight losses for the Dodgers, and suddenly, the NL West race feels a lot tighter.

An Unforgettable Sixth Inning: Ohtani’s Triple Play Misfortune

With runners on first and second in the sixth, Ohtani lined a ball up the middle. It looked bound for center field.

But Angels shortstop Zach Neto leaped and snagged it, robbing Ohtani of a hit. Neto doubled off Miguel Rojas at second and then fired to first to get Dalton Rushing, finishing the first triple play in Freeway Series history.

Historical Context of the Play

This wasn’t your average defensive highlight. The triple play was:

• Only the third in all of Major League Baseball this season.
• The eighth in Angels franchise history.
• Their first since August 18, 2023.

For Ohtani, who’s usually one of baseball’s most dangerous hitters, it was a rare bit of bad luck at the plate.

Redemption in the Ninth With a Towering Blast

Some players might’ve let that get to them, but Ohtani didn’t flinch. In the ninth, facing former teammate and ex-Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, Ohtani smashed a go-ahead solo homer.

That was his 43rd homer of the season. Now he’s sitting second in the MLB home run race, just behind Seattle’s Cal Raleigh at 45.

A Streak of Power

Ohtani’s blast extended his home run streak to four games. His ability to flip a game with one swing is unreal sometimes, honestly.

Dodgers’ Bullpen Woes and Late-Inning Collapse

After Ohtani’s homer, the Dodgers looked ready to lock it down with a 6-5 lead in the ninth. The Angels weren’t done, loading the bases against reliever Alex Vesia.

Nolan Schanuel hit a sacrifice fly to bring home the tying run. Extra innings, here we go.

Walk-Off Heartbreak

In the 10th, the Dodgers couldn’t bring home their ghost runner. The Angels got their chance, and Jo Adell came through with a walk-off single, scoring Taylor Ward for a 7-6 win.

That’s three losses in a row for the Dodgers. Now they’re tied with the Padres at the top of the NL West.

High Stakes Moving Forward

The Dodgers are in a tough spot now. Losing ground in a division race this close is risky, especially with the postseason looming.

They’ll be leaning hard on Ohtani, who’s not just their top slugger but also an ace on the mound. If anyone can help turn things around, it’s probably him.

The Next Challenge: Avoiding a Sweep

Ohtani’s set to take the mound the next day. Los Angeles faces the tough task of avoiding a sweep by their Southern California rivals.

This game matters—a lot. Not just for the standings, but for team morale with a big weekend series against the Padres looming.

Ohtani’s night had it all. From the gut-punch of a historic triple play to the rush of a go-ahead homer, he showed why baseball’s so unpredictable.

The Dodgers felt the sting of another loss. In a playoff race, every inning stings, and sometimes, even a superstar can’t bail out a shaky bullpen.

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