Shohei Ohtani's two-way dominance powers the Dodgers to a 5-2 win over the Reds on July 30, 2025. See how Ohtani and Will Smith led Los Angeles to victory.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you think you've seen everything Shohei Ohtani can do, he puts together another performance that leaves you shaking your head. In a crucial game at Great American Ball Park, Ohtani was the driving force on the mound and in the batter's box, leading the Dodgers to a 5-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds and pushing their record to a stellar 63-45.
With his home run Wednesday, Shohei Ohtani now has 38 homers and 73 RBIs on the season, proving once again he is the ultimate dual-threat weapon.
Wednesday night was a masterclass from the Dodgers' biggest stars. Shohei Ohtani took the mound and delivered a quality start, keeping the Reds' bats quiet. But he wasn't done. Stepping into the box as the DH, Ohtani launched his 38th home run of the season, a critical blow in the 5-2 victory. He wasn't alone in the offensive outburst. Catcher Will Smith continued his torrid season with a multi-hit game, boosting his incredible slash line to .325/.423/.543. When your biggest names step up like this, good things happen.
It wasn't all good news on Wednesday. The team announced that second baseman Hyeseong Kim was placed on the 10-day injured list with an undisclosed injury, a tough loss for the infield defense and lineup consistency. However, every cloud has a silver lining. In a corresponding move, the Dodgers sent veteran third baseman Max Muncy to Triple-A Oklahoma City to begin a rehab assignment. His power bat is desperately needed, and his imminent return could provide a massive boost as the team gears up for the stretch run.
This win was more than just another notch in the belt; it was a statement. With the victory, the Dodgers extended their winning streak to two games and, more importantly, maintained their four-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the NL West. Every win in late July feels magnified, and stacking wins against competitive teams like the Reds is exactly what championship-caliber teams do. The bullpen shut the door effectively, preserving the lead and ensuring Ohtani's great work didn't go to waste.
As the Dodgers look to secure the series win against Cincinnati, all eyes will be on Max Muncy's progress in Oklahoma City. While the loss of Kim hurts, the potential injection of Muncy's power into the lineup is a tantalizing prospect. With a firm grip on the division lead and their superstar playing at an MVP level, the Dodgers are looking every bit the contender as August approaches.
