Overview

• Shohei Ohtani earned his first Dodgers pitching win with five innings, nine strikeouts, two hits and one run allowed on 87 pitches in a 5–1 sweep-clincher over the Reds, adding a 1-for-5 day with a run scored.
• Manager Dave Roberts called five innings Ohtani’s ceiling "for now" and said the next outing is expected Wednesday in Pittsburgh with a similar five-inning, roughly 90-pitch target.
• Ohtani lowered his ERA to 4.18 while leaning most on his curveball within a seven-pitch arsenal, and his fastball reached triple digits as he struck out the last eight batters he faced.
• Catcher Dalton Rushing acknowledged calling the pitch Noelvi Marte hit for a homer, then said Ohtani entrusted him to call the game the rest of the way as they settled into a rhythm.
• Team discussions about potential postseason relief usage remain exploratory, with reporting noting that entering as a reliever would cost Ohtani his spot in the batting order, whereas starting preserves his DH role after he leaves the mound.