Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani put together another gem for his Cy Young resume Wednesday night as the Boys in Blue topped the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-0.
The Dodgers (40-22) won their 16th game out of the last 20 with this win over the Diamondbacks (32-29) and were led by Ohtani, who is making the exceptional look like his norm.
He threw six scoreless innings, struck out six batters and gave up only two hits and a walk, dropping his ERA to an incredible 0.74 in the process.
He performed at the plate as well, going 3-for-4 with two walks and a run scored.
That line puts him above .300 on the year for the first time since Opening Day.
“Might as well start engraving that MVP trophy now,” wrote USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
Ohtani was far from alone on the offensive side, though.
Scoring was kicked off by Kyle Tucker’s two-run homer in the second inning, a 424-foot blast to right center that was his first time going deep in nearly a month.
The first-year Dodger has so far failed to meet the expectations that come with the biggest salary in the league, but he hit well against Arizona, going 3-for-5 with those two RBIs.
Max Muncy, Alex Freeland and Freddie Freeman also knocked runners in.
Dodgers grow lead in division
With this win, the Dodgers took a 2-1 series lead, securing either a series win or tie.
The Boys in Blue also took a seven-game lead in the National League West, with the Diamondbacks now in third, a half game back of the San Diego Padres for second place.
What’s next for the Dodgers?
The Dodgers and Diamondbacks face off for the last time on Thursday.
First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. PT.
Lefty Justin Wrobleski (7-2, 2.87 ERA) is on the mound for the Dodgers. Ryne Nelson (2-4, 4.82 ERA) is pitching for Arizona.
