Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers came close to completing a sweep over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday but fell just short after a remarkable relief effort from rookie Mason Fluharty in the ninth inning. The Blue Jays entered the final frame leading by one run but faced a dire situation when the Dodgers loaded the bases with just one out, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

Toronto reliever Jeff Hoffman had put the Blue Jays in trouble by walking three consecutive batters—Andy Pages, Max Muncy, and Alex Call—to fill the bases. Manager promptly brought in Fluharty, who quelled the threat by retiring two former MVPs, including Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, securing a 5-4 victory for Toronto.

Mason Fluharty’s Historic Save Against Dodgers’ Stars

Fluharty’s performance captured attention not only for its role in the win but also for its rarity. According to OptaSTATS, this marked the first time since 2002 that a save involved striking out two former MVP players with the bases loaded. The last pitcher to achieve this feat was Trevor Hoffman when he retired Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent.

Mason Fluharty of the @BlueJays recorded his first MLB save by retiring two batters, Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, with the bases loaded. The last MLB save, which saw two former MVPs retired with the bases loaded, was by Trevor Hoffman on 9/15/02 (Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent).

—OptaSTATS

Ohtani had a strong start to the game, launching a solo home run over 400 feet in the first inning. However, when facing Fluharty, Ohtani battled through nine pitches before striking out swinging on an 83 mph sweeper low in the strike zone. He finished the game going 2-for-4 with two walks and two strikeouts.

Dodgers Maintain Narrow Lead Amidst Rising Padres Challenge

Despite Sunday’s loss, the Dodgers remain atop the National League West with a 68-50 record, though their lead has tightened as the San Diego Padres continue to close the gap. Los Angeles holds only a two-game advantage over San Diego, making the remainder of the season crucial for maintaining their position.

Shohei Ohtani continues to be a powerful presence for the Dodgers, boasting a .284 batting average with a .388 on-base percentage and a .620 slugging percentage. His 41 home runs and 77 RBIs in 116 games underline his ongoing influence at the plate.

Upcoming Challenge: Freeway Series Against Former Team

The Dodgers now turn their focus to a rivalry series against the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani’s former team, starting this Monday at Angel Stadium. This matchup offers a compelling narrative as Ohtani returns to his old stomping grounds, adding extra intensity to the Freeway Series.

This game will be a vital opportunity for the Dodgers to solidify their divisional standing and for Ohtani to continue demonstrating why he remains one of baseball’s premier talents.