Dave Roberts Calls Out Shohei Ohtani for 2 Critical Mistakes in Dodgers Loss to Blue Jays

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost a game they truly had no business losing on Sunday, dropping the series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-4.

The Dodgers had a total of 10 hits and drew 13 walks, but went just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left a whopping 16 runners on base.

Even with all the blunders throughout the game, the Dodgers couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to win it in the ninth inning.

The Dodgers had the bases loaded and one out with reigning back-to-back MVP Shohei Ohtani stepping up to the plate against a new pitcher in rookie left-handed Mason Fluharty.

Ohtani and Fluharty battled in what turned out to be a nine-pitch at-bat. But Ohtani struck out swinging on what would have been ball four, bringing up Mookie Betts with the bases loaded and two outs. Betts grounded out, and LA lost, 5-4.

After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts got honest about Ohtani’s poor at-bat.

“The last thing I was thinking was he was going to strike out,” Roberts said. “We’ve got to come up with one right there.”

He added: “Chasing the ball down below is something we can’t have happen.”

Earlier in the game, with the Dodgers up 3-2, Ohtani attempted to steal third base with two on and two outs in the sixth inning. He was called out at third base, despite his thinking that there was interference on the play. Roberts was asked about that play after the game.

“That was his decision,” Roberts said of Ohtani attempting to steal third.

“Not a good baseball play.”

Ohtani is in the midst of another historic season, slashing .284/.388/.620 with 41 home runs, 77 RBIs and an OPS of 1.008. As a pitcher, he’s thrown 19 innings, sporting a 2.37 ERA with 25 strikeouts.

However, Roberts proved that even he’s not absolved from criticism after failing to put the ball in play in the bottom of the ninth inning.