Shohei Ohtani's 28th HR & Yoshinobu Yamamoto's gem led the Dodgers to an 8-3 win over the Rockies on June 25. See how they reached 50 wins in style.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another day, another dominant display from the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the thin air of Coors Field, the Boys in Blue showcased their two-way prowess, riding a stellar performance from ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto and another moonshot from Shohei Ohtani to an 8-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies. The win pushes the Dodgers to a stellar 50-31 record, further cementing their hold on the NL West.
I think that some of our guys didn't really perform well, and we still found a way to win more than we lost.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto was simply masterful on the mound Wednesday. Navigating the notoriously hitter-friendly Coors Field, he delivered one of his best starts of the season, pitching a full 7 innings while allowing just two runs. He fanned nine Rockies hitters and issued only a single walk, improving his record to 7-6. More impressively, his season ERA dropped to a sparkling 2.70. This continues a remarkable trend for the right-hander, who has now allowed two or fewer runs in eight of his last ten starts, firmly establishing himself as the anchor of the Dodgers' rotation.
While Yamamoto silenced the Rockies' bats, Shohei Ohtani was busy doing what he does best: launching baseballs into orbit. Ohtani blasted his National League-leading 28th home run, a towering 430-foot shot to right-center that drove in three runs and broke the game open. His MVP campaign continues to gain steam as he sets a blistering pace for a career-best season. 'I'm just trying to help the team win every night,' Ohtani said with his typical humility after the game, but his performance was anything but typical.
The Dodgers' success wasn't limited to their two Japanese superstars. The entire lineup contributed to what manager Dave Roberts called a 'relentless approach at the plate.' Catcher Will Smith was a key catalyst, racking up three hits to raise his season batting average to an elite .333, placing him among the league leaders. Teoscar Hernández also came up big with a crucial two-run double. This offensive barrage is becoming a habit; the Dodgers have now scored an incredible 33 runs over their last four games.
Even with the offense firing on all cylinders, the defense made its presence felt. The highlight of the night came from Mookie Betts at shortstop, who made a spectacular diving stop to end a potential Rockies rally in the sixth inning. The play quickly went viral on social media, a testament to Betts' incredible athleticism and seamless transition to the infield. It was a crucial moment that preserved Yamamoto's gem and underscored the team's all-around excellence.
With 50 wins in the books before the end of June and having won 8 of their last 10, the Dodgers are firing on all cylinders. The combination of elite starting pitching, MVP-level production from their superstars, and relentless depth throughout the lineup makes them the most formidable team in baseball. As they continue this grueling stretch of the season, maintaining this level of consistency will be key. For now, Dodger fans can celebrate another complete team victory and look forward to what's next from this powerhouse club.
