Shohei Ohtani throws five no-hit innings, hits 50th HR but Dodgers' bullpen blows lead in loss to Phillies

The Phillies vs. Dodgers game Tuesday night in Dodger Stadium was a wild one, with the Phillies eventually prevailing, 9-6. 

The story ended a lot different than it started. 

Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani made his 13th start of the season as a pitcher. To say he was sharp would be an understatement. He carved the Phillies up for five scoreless innings, allowing only one walk while striking out five. He didn't even allow a hit, but was pulled from the game after 68 pitches.

It wasn't all too shocking, given the way the Dodgers are handling Ohtani in his return this season on the mound from elbow surgery. His season high in pitches so far this season is 80, but he hasn't yet thrown more than five innings, so this seems to be the plan with Ohtani, at least for now. He just isn't going to throw more than five innings and even working on a no-hitter wasn't going to change that. 

The big twist here came after Ohtani left. The Dodgers had spotted Ohtani a 4-0 lead. Reliever Justin Wrobleski entered the game and recorded one out before he allowed the Phillies' first hit. Then the second. Then the third. Then Bryce Harper came through with a bases-loaded double before Brandon Marsh homered and it was 5-4 Phillies before anyone could catch their breath. 

Edgardo Henriquez relieved Wrobleski and allowed a Max Kepler solo shot. 

So, again, the quick recap: The Dodgers had a 4-0 lead and Ohtani hadn't allowed a hit, the Dodgers pulled Ohtani and the Phillies scored six runs in the next inning.

Ohtani being the force that he is made an impact with the bat as well. He homered to start the eighth, his 50th of the year. The Dodgers would rally after Ohtani's home run to load the bases with one out and then get a tying sacrifice fly.

In the top of the ninth, though, the Phillies would get two baserunners on against Blake Treinen before catcher Rafael Marchan -- the nine-hole hitter -- sent a rocket to right field that hit the top of the wall before going into the crowd for a three-run home run. 

The Phillies prevailed with Jhoan Duran nailing down the save. They are now 91-61 and have already clinched the NL East title. The Dodgers fell to 84-67 and still hold a two-game lead over the Padres in the NL West.

In the Ohtani-centric world, he has joined the rare group of sluggers to have multiple 50-homer seasons and the even rarer group of those to hit 50 or more home runs in consecutive seasons. 

Ohtani in 2024 authored the first 50-50 season -- i.e., at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season -- in Major League Baseball history. While Ohtani hasn't been attempting steals at nearly the same clip this season, the power is still very much best in class. Ohtani is now the 11th hitter ever to have multiple 50-homer seasons: 

Of those names above, just Griffey Jr., McGwire, Rodriguez, Ruth, Sosa, and now Ohtani have hit 50 or more home runs in consecutive seasons. McGwire and Sosa share the record with four-straight 50-homer seasons. Ruth hit at least 50 home runs in consecutive seasons on two different occasions. 

Ohtani becomes the third hitter to reach 50 homers this season. He joins Cal Raleigh of the Mariners and Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies. Overall, Ohtani's is the 53rd 50-homer season in MLB history. What makes his latest feat all the more impressive is that he's topped 50 homers even though this season has occasioned his return to the mound. Last season, Ohtani didn't pitch as recovered from elbow surgery and could thus devote his full attention to hitting while also not dealing with the fatigue of pitching. This season, though, he's made 13 starts on the mound for the reigning-champion Dodgers. 

Ohtani, 30, is angling to win his third straight MVP award this season. As of homer No. 50, he's now slashing .282/.395/.611 in 148 games as the Dodgers' everyday DH. Baseball Reference credits him with a WAR of 7.1 on the season, 6.4 of which have come as a hitter.