The Los Angeles Dodgers faced a tough setback on Wednesday, losing 6-5 to their city rivals, the Los Angeles Angels, at Angel Stadium. This defeat resulted in a second sweep by the Angels this season and caused the Dodgers to drop from first place in the National League West standings. Shohei Ohtani shared his frustration after the game, emphasizing that his team
have to do a better job
to recover from their recent slump.
After a strong start to the season, the Dodgers have fallen into a significant decline, losing multiple games and suffering several series sweeps. This downturn has raised concerns about their ability to maintain their position as contenders in the NL West.
Entering Wednesday’s matchup, the Dodgers hoped to avoid yet another sweep against their rivals. Shohei Ohtani was on the mound for the Angels, making his ninth start of the season and facing his former teammate Mike Trout. Despite moments of dominance, Ohtani struggled to last more than five innings, yielding four runs on five hits, including a home run by Taylor Ward.
The Angels staged a remarkable comeback after falling 5-2 behind. In the eighth inning, with two outs and the bases loaded, Logan O’Hoope delivered a two-run single that put the Angels ahead 6-5. The Dodgers could not mount a rally in the ninth, sealing their fourth consecutive loss and the painful sweep at the hands of their rivals.
Ohtani Voices Frustration as Dodgers Lose Top NL West Spot
The recent sweep by the Angels, combined with the San Diego Padres’ dominant 11-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants, triggered a shift in the NL West standings. The Padres moved into first place for the first time since late April, pushing the Dodgers down to second.
Speaking after the game, Ohtani acknowledged the pain of seeing the team lose ground in the standings during a challenging stretch.
Obviously it doesn’t feel good to fall in second place and to lose a lot of these games. We’re doing everything that we can to try to right the ship. We just have to do a better job.
—Shohei Ohtani told the reporters through his translator Will Ireton
This loss marked the Dodgers’ fourth straight game defeat, with a 4-6 record in their last 10 games, leaving them with an overall record of 68-53. For the Angels, this sweep was historic: it was their first three-game series sweep over the Dodgers at Angel Stadium in more than 18 years, the last occurring in May 2007.
Dave Roberts Reflects on Unexpected Dodgers Downturn
Dave Roberts, the Dodgers’ manager, openly admitted that he did not foresee the team’s dramatic decline following the Angels series sweep. Just five weeks prior, the Dodgers had maintained a comfortable nine-game lead over the Padres.
The slump began after a sweep by the Houston Astros, which was compounded by consecutive series sweeps at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers before and after the All-Star Break. Since then, the Dodgers have struggled to find consistency with their performance.
When addressing media inquiries about their current position in the standings, Roberts expressed his surprise and disappointment.
Absolutely not. You know, we’re where we’re at. We put ourselves in this spot, but no, I wouldn’t have expected us to be in second place right now.
—Dave Roberts told the reporters
The Dodgers now face a critical series against the Padres, their closest rivals in the division. The two teams are scheduled to meet for a three-game series this weekend at Dodger Stadium, followed by another three-game series at Petco Park next weekend. These matchups will carry significant weight for the playoff race and could determine the future trajectory of the Dodgers’ season.
Implications of the Dodgers’ Recent Struggles
The Dodgers’ rapid fall in the standings after dominating much of the season highlights the intense competition within the NL West, as well as the challenges teams face sustaining success over a long campaign. The sweep by the Angels not only impacts the Dodgers’ playoff positioning but also shakes the confidence within the team and its fanbase.
Shohei Ohtani, who has been a standout player for the Angels this season, remains vocal about the need for improvement and resilience. His comments underscore the urgency felt within the Dodgers’ camp to regain form and halt the downward spiral before it jeopardizes their postseason ambitions.
With the Padres now leading the division and the Dodgers struggling to keep pace, the upcoming series between these rivals will be crucial. How the Dodgers respond in this tough stretch will reveal much about their ability to overcome adversity and reclaim their position as NL West leaders.