Teoscar Hernández's 8th-inning homer lifts the Dodgers past the Red Sox 5-2 on July 26, 2025, even as Shohei Ohtani's historic home run streak ends. Recap.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
All good things must come to an end, and on Saturday at Fenway Park, Shohei Ohtani's historic home run streak was one of them. But for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the winning ways continued. In a classic display of team depth, it was Teoscar Hernández who delivered the decisive blow, ensuring that even when one superstar's incredible run concludes, the team's march forward does not.
It was a fun run, but the most important thing is the win.
The game remained tight until the 8th inning when Teoscar Hernández stepped up and crushed a 415-foot, two-run homer to break a 2-2 tie. The Dodgers had manufactured runs earlier, with an infield single from Tommy Edman in the 2nd and a bases-loaded walk by Hernández in the 3rd. Starter Emmet Sheehan battled to earn his second win of the season, and Ben Casparius locked down his first career save in the 5-2 victory, moving the Dodgers to a stellar 61-43 on the year.
The baseball world watched to see if Shohei Ohtani could make it seven straight games with a home run, but the streak concluded at six. Still, Ohtani was far from a non-factor, reaching base twice and scoring a run. His post-game comments, shared on social media, perfectly captured his team-first mentality. 'It was a fun run, but the most important thing is the win,' he stated, cementing his status as not just a superstar, but a consummate teammate.
While Ohtani and Hernández grabbed the headlines, catcher Will Smith continued his quietly brilliant season. Smith's batting average now sits at an elite .325, placing him among the very best offensive catchers in all of baseball. His consistent production, along with his .423 OBP, provides a steady, powerful presence in the middle of a lineup full of superstars, proving the Dodgers' offense is dangerous from top to bottom.
The victory was a positive note on a day with somber pitching news. The team confirmed that RHPs River Ryan, Gavin Stone, and Michael Grove will not return in 2025 due to season-ending surgeries. This adds to the recent strain on the staff, with LHP Tanner Scott hitting the 15-day IL on July 22. The recent recalls of Alexis Díaz and Edgardo Henriquez highlight the club's 'next man up' approach as they navigate significant blows to their pitching depth.
With the win, the Dodgers solidify their standing, now holding a comfortable six-game lead in the NL West. While the end of Ohtani's streak is a footnote, the real story is a resilient team that finds different ways to win each night. As the pitching staff continues to navigate significant injuries, the offense's depth, showcased perfectly tonight, will be the key to their postseason push. All eyes are now on tomorrow's game to see if they can clinch the series against the Red Sox.
