Although Shohei Ohtani pitched 6 scoreless innings with 8 strikeouts, he did not earn the win, but he still stood firmly behind his bullpen teammates after the game.

In the MLB game this morning (24th Beijing time), the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Arizona Diamondbacks on the road. Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese two-way player, started again and pitched 6 scoreless innings, looking set to get the win. Unexpectedly, Tanner Scott, who came in during the bottom of the 9th inning, gave up runs that allowed the Diamondbacks to rally and win by one run. This marked Scott’s 10th blown save of the season, prompting Dodgers reporters to harshly criticize him, saying, "There’s no reason for Scott to be part of the postseason roster."

Ohtani once again appeared as a two-way player today, starting on the mound. He pitched 6 innings, throwing 91 pitches, allowing only 5 hits, striking out 8, and giving up no runs. When he left the game, the Dodgers were still leading 3-0, and in the top of the 7th, catcher Ben Rortvedt added another run with a solo home run.

However, things changed when the Dodgers brought in their bullpen in the bottom of the 7th. With two outs and a runner on first, Jack Dreyer gave up a long hit, allowing a run. The Dodgers then replaced him with Edgardo Henriquez, but he was hit by pinch hitter Adrian Del Castillo for a two-run homer, turning the score to 4-3 in favor of the Diamondbacks.

In the 8th inning, the Dodgers brought in Alex Vesia, who successfully held the lead without giving up any runs, keeping the Dodgers ahead by one run going into the 9th. Tanner Scott was then brought in as the closer. Unfortunately, he first hit a batter, then walked another, allowing runners on first and second. The Diamondbacks took advantage with a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, followed by two consecutive hits that scored the winning runs, resulting in a 5-4 comeback victory.

This was Scott’s 10th blown save of the season, the highest in the league. Fans harshly criticized him as the “closer who ends the Dodgers’ chances.” Ohtani’s likely win was taken away again, and this isn’t the first time—it even happened to Yusei Yamamoto, who had excellent starts but didn’t get the win. Dodgers reporter Tim Cates called him out on X, saying, "There’s no reason for Scott to be on the postseason roster."

Scott admitted in a post-game interview that he put himself in a tough spot and took responsibility for it, but said he can only keep moving forward. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commented that Scott had pitched well in previous games but not tonight, and felt he relied too much on his slider. Roberts also defended Ohtani, praising his starting performance that kept the team ahead, but expressed frustration that the bullpen pitcher he assigned to close out the game failed, ultimately costing the team the win. Regarding the bullpen’s recent struggles, Roberts said if pitchers were only afraid of being hit or making mistakes, then pitches wouldn’t be thrown in the strike zone.

After the game, Ohtani spoke up for his teammates: "The bullpen pitchers are very united. Although the results haven’t been ideal lately, they helped the team win many games in the first half of the season. Despite some setbacks, there are many positive aspects, and I believe everyone will overcome this together."