Shohei Ohtani struggles as Dodgers blow five-run lead in 9-8 loss
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 11, 2026, 4:26 AM
Last updated Jun 11, 2026
Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers faced a surprising loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, 9-8, on June 10. The Dodgers held a commanding 8-3 lead entering the eighth inning, bolstered by Ryan Ward's grand slam. However, a pivotal moment occurred when Ohtani opted against challenging a call on a critical at-bat, allowing Brandon Lowe's two-run double. This decision contributed to a five-run rally from the Pirates, turning the game in their favor. Despite a two-run homer from Ohtani in the ninth, the Dodgers could not recover. Following the game, manager Dave Roberts announced that Will Smith would be placed on the injured list, further complicating the Dodgers' lineup.
- •Dodgers led 8-3 before Pirates' comeback in eighth inning.
- •Ryan Ward hit his first career grand slam in the game.
- •Ohtani allowed four runs and three earned runs before leaving the game.
- •Will Smith is going to the 10-day injured list with a neck injury.
- •Ohtani is scheduled to start again next week despite this loss.
- 5:10 AMESPN — Ohtani rues non-challenge as LA blows 5-run lead
- 3:37 AMYahoo Sports — A 5-run lead slips away as Shohei Ohtani rues a missed ABS challenge in a 9-8 loss
"Shohei Ohtani doesn't like to get in the way of his catchers. The way the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar looks at it, when he's on the mound, his job is to throw the ball. Los Angeles was cruising when Ohtani went out for the seventh inning for just the third time this season.
"Shohei Ohtani cruised through the first six innings Wednesday before things unraveled in the seventh, including a missed ABS challenge that helped the Pirates rally and set the stage for a 9-8 win over the Dodgers.
Sources
External links- ESPNJun 11, 2026, 5:10 AMOhtani rues non-challenge as LA blows 5-run lead
Shohei Ohtani cruised through the first six innings Wednesday before things unraveled in the seventh, including a missed ABS challenge that helped the Pirates rally and set the stage for a 9-8 win over the Dodgers.
- Yahoo SportsJun 11, 2026, 3:37 AMA 5-run lead slips away as Shohei Ohtani rues a missed ABS challenge in a 9-8 loss
Shohei Ohtani doesn't like to get in the way of his catchers. The way the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar looks at it, when he's on the mound, his job is to throw the ball. Los Angeles was cruising when Ohtani went out for the seventh inning for just the third time this season.
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