Teoscar Hernández caps thrilling walk-off win for Dodgers
Will Smith and Freddie Freeman deliver two-out doubles to tie it, then Hernández singles in Freeman as the Dodgers edge the Diamondbacks in a seesaw game that includes Shohei Ohtani’s 27th homer, 6-5
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez, center, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off single to score Freddie Freeman during the ninth inning of their 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, celebrates his go-ahead two-run home run with teammate Freddie Freeman during the seventh inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll attempts to run to first after grounding out to Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani waits for a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches his double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting a double against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Dodger Stadium on July 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks opening pitcher Joe Mantiply, second from right, walks off the mound after being replaced during the first inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs home to score off a triple hit by Teoscar Hernandez during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Ryne Nelson follows through on a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte throws out the Dodgers’ Gavin Lux at first during the second inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after being hit by a foul tip during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after being hit by a foul tip during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after being hit by a foul tip during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, speaks with interpreter Will Ireton, head athletic trainer Thomas Albert, and manager Dave Roberts, from left, after being hit by a foul tip during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, front center, speaks with interpreter Will Ireton, head athletic trainer Thomas Albert, and manager Dave Roberts, from left, after being hit by a foul tip during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller throws to the plate during the fourth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Christian Walker celebrates hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Christian Walker runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Dodgers in the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Joc Pederson, right, and Christian Walker celebrate after scoring two runs against the Dodgers in the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Christian Walker celebrates hitting a two-run home run with designated hitter Joc Pederson, who also scored, during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller throws to the plate during the fourth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno gestures after hitting a single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux, left, throws out the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll at first as Eugenio Suarez, right, attempts to reach second to end the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller reacts after the third out of the fourth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller reacts after the third out of the fourth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs after hitting a single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani dives back to first after a pickoff attempt during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers relief pitcher Daniel Hudson throws to the plate during the sixth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas throws out the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno at first during the sixth inning on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll catches a fly out by the Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Geraldo Perdomo celebrates after scoring on a single hit by Ketel Marte during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia throws out the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Lourdes Gurriel Jr. at first during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondback in the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on July 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondback in the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on July 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches his go-ahead two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani tosses his bat after hitting a go-ahead two-run home run during the seventh inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates his go-ahead two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates while running the bases after hitting the go-ahead two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondback in the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on July 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates his go-ahead two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates his go-ahead two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is showered with sunflower seeds after hitting a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on July 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, celebrates his go-ahead two-run home run with teammate Teoscar Hernandez during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers relief pitcher Blake Treinen throws to the plate during the eighth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno slides home to score on a bunt single by Jake McCarthy during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno, left, slides home past Dodgers catcher Will Smith to score off a bunt single by Jake McCarthy during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno celebrates scoring on a bunt single by Jake McCarthy during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers relief pitcher Blake Treinen throws to the plate during the eighth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Joc Pederson runs the bases after he hit a go-ahead home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks designated hitter Joc Pederson celebrates a solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Arizona Diamondbacks designated hitter Joc Pederson celebrates his solo home run with Geraldo Perdomo during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after a swinging strike during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith celebrates scoring the tying run off a double hit by Freddie Freeman during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith celebrates after scoring the tying run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman celebrates at second base after hitting a double to score Will Smith for the game-tying run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, right, slides home past Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno to score off a walk-off hit by Teoscar Hernandez during the ninth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez celebrates after hitting a walk-off single to score Freddie Freeman during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández celebrates after he hit a walk-off RBI single in the ninth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers rallied with two runs in the ninth for a 6-5 win. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández celebrates after he hit a walk-off RBI single in the ninth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers rallied with two runs in the ninth for a 6-5 win. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez, center, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off single to score Freddie Freeman during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez, center, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off single to score Freddie Freeman during the ninth inning of their 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez, center, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off single to score Freddie Freeman during the ninth inning of their 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández, center, celebrates with teammates after he hit a walk-off RBI single in the ninth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers rallied with two runs in the ninth for a 6-5 win. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández celebrates after he hit a walk-off RBI single in the ninth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers rallied with two runs in the ninth for a 6-5 win. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, celebrates his go-ahead two-run home run with teammate Freddie Freeman during the seventh inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani just about made Japanese Heritage Night his very own Tuesday. He just needed a little help to make the evening a complete success.
Ohtani’s two-run 433-foot home run in the seventh inning came in front of a sold-out crowd and gave the Dodgers a brief lead that quickly evaporated.
Down to their last out with nobody on base, consecutive doubles from Will Smith and Freddie Freeman tied the score. Teoscar Hernandez followed with a game-ending single to left field rallied the Dodgers to a 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
But it was Ohtani who brought the offense to life just in time.
Those majestic Ohtani home runs can spin a packed house into a frenzy, but he only has so many to go around this season. Asked if he was going to participate in the Home Run Derby later this month at Texas, Ohtani seemed to indicate that it wasn’t going to happen.
“There’s been some conversations going on,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “I’m in the middle of my (elbow) rehab progression, so it’s not going to look like I’ll be participating.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made it sound like more of a certainty that Ohtani will not participate in the long-ball spectacle.
“It would just be a real disappointment for not only Shohei, the Dodgers, and also the fans, if something were to happen during something like that, which is an exhibition, essentially,” Roberts said. “So I know that it’s weighed heavy on him. But I do think that the rehab process is something that kind of, ultimately, makes him feel better about bowing out.”
It makes a home run, like the one Ohtani hit on Tuesday, even more special, even if the Diamondbacks negated it with their own rally.
An eighth-inning throwing error from right-hander Blake Treinen allowed the Diamondbacks to tie the score and former Dodger Joc Pederson hit a chest-thumping home run in the ninth to give Arizona a 5-4 lead.
But the Dodgers still had enough production remaining on a festive night when Japanese singers, musicians and actors took part in pregame ceremonies. Ohtani proved to be one of the bigger attractions and it hardly was a surprise.
The seventh-inning home run was Ohtani’s 27th of the season and his 10th in his last 14 games.
“Shohei is very storybook,” Roberts said. “It seems like whenever there’s anticipation for something to happen, it happens. And guys like that are like Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods. Just look back at the (World Baseball) Classic, him versus (Mike) Trout, that one where he was pitching. And then Japanese Heritage Night, obviously, you’ve got so many people from Japan here. And then he comes up huge. It’s just very storybook.”
As Ohtani’s drive soared well over the wall in right-center, he stood at home plate and admired his work. Until then, it was the injured Yoshinobu Yamamoto who had been the most visible of the Dodgers’ two Japanese-born players.
Yamamoto took part in multiple pregame ceremonies, but Ohtani took center stage.
The Dodgers lost the momentum a half-inning later, though. Gabriel Moreno, who returned from a two-week absence because of a sprained left thumb, walked to lead off the eighth against Treinen.
Jake McCarthy laid down a bunt but Treinen’s throw to first got past Gavin Lux, who was covering the bag, and Moreno scored all the way from first base as the ball rolled into foul territory halfway into right field.
One inning later, Pederson yanked a home run down the right field line on an 0-and-2 pitch from Evan Phillips. It was Pederson’s 11th of the season and the fourth of his career against the Dodgers after he departed following the 2020 season.
With his back to the wall Tuesday, Dodgers right-hander Bobby Miller gave the team something to be excited about in his third start back from shoulder inflammation.
The two-run home run Miller allowed to the Diamondbacks’ Christian Walker in the fourth wasn’t much different from what Miller’s teammates have dealt with. The homer was Walker’s fifth in seven games against the Dodgers this season and his 23rd against the club in 10 seasons.
Miller then loaded the bases in the inning with nobody out before wiggling out of the jam when Alek Thomas struck out, Geraldo Perdomo popped up and Corbin Carroll ground out to keep the score tied.
“Really glad I got out of that,” Miller said. “I got really energetic after that and (Roberts) talked to me a little bit, just settle down a little bit. … Just deep breaths, regroup, go back and get a shutdown inning. I knew the game was close and I knew our offense was going to do the job and get us back in the game.”
Over five innings, Miller gave up two runs on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Right-hander Evan Phillips (1-0) was tagged for Pederson’s home run but earned the win when the Dodgers rallied in the bottom of the inning.