Shohei Ohtani blasts another monster homer in Dodgers

Gavin Lux #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is showered with sunflower seeds by teammate Teoscar Hernandez #37 after hitting a solo hun home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Relief pitcher Michael Petersen #90 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Logan O’Hoppe #14 of the Los Angeles Angels high fives manager Aron Washington #37 after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Logan O’Hoppe #14 of the Los Angeles Angels rounds second base after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers grounds out against the Los Angeles Angels in the sixth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Manager Ron Washington #37 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Manager Ron Washington #37 of the Los Angeles Angels walks toward the mound to change pitchers against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Left fielder Mickey Moniak #16 of the Los Angeles Angels makes a catch on a fly ball by Gavin Lux ( or pictured) of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers high fives teammate Freddie Freeman #5 after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is showered with sunflower seeds by teammate Teoscar Hernandez #37 after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers high fives teammates after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Cavan Biggio #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers singles against the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Starting pitcher Zach Plesac #34 of the Los Angeles Angels
Looks on as teammate Zack Neto (not pictured) is treated by trainers in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Shortstop Zach Neto #9 of the Los Angeles Angels is treated and would leave the game after the injury in the fourth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds first after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Gavin Lux #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo hun home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Starting pitcher Zach Plesac #34 of the Los Angeles Angels throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Starting pitcher Zach Plesac #34 of the Los Angeles Angels throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Andy Pages #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers acknowledges left fielder Taylor Ward (not pictured) of the Los Angeles Angels after making a catch in the second inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

USC Trojan women’s basketball player JuJu Watkins throws out the ceremonial pitch prior to a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

USC Trojan women’s basketball player JuJu Watkins after throwing out the ceremonial pitch prior to a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

USC Trojan women’s basketball player JuJu Watkins prior to a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

A sliding pad prior to a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

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LOS ANGELES — Ever since Mookie Betts broke his hand and the Dodgers moved Shohei Ohtani in the leadoff spot, he’s taken on the dual roles as a table-setter and a run-producer.

It helps when he keeps driving in himself.

Ohtani’s 459-foot, two-run homer in the Dodgers’ 7-2 victory over the Angels on Saturday continued a torrid streak for the slugger. Ohtani has now scored and driven in a run in seven straight games, a stretch that has included six homers.

“I think where he’s at right now, you can just see that if the ball is in his hitting zone it’s going to be hit hard somewhere,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Obviously he’s very comfortable. We’re managing him as far as the health. He takes real good care of himself. Shoot, leading the league in hitting, leading the league in home runs, he’s right there in runs driven in – it’s pretty special. The last few weeks there just hasn’t been a player better.”

A night after Ohtani’s homer came in a loss that snapped the Dodgers’ 10-game winning streak in the Freeway Series, the Dodgers quickly ended the Angels hopes of winning two in a row.

The Angels got a scare when shortstop Zach Neto had to leave the game after slipping awkwardly stopping a ground ball in the fourth inning. Neto, who was diagnosed with left calf tightness, said he was hurt when he fouled a ball off his leg in the second inning, and he aggravated it when he tried to plant on his left leg. Manager Ron Washington said he expects Neto to be able to play when the Angels return to action on Monday, after an off day on Sunday.

“I feel pretty good,” Neto said. “A little sore right now. Looking forward to resting tomorrow, let it heal by itself and come back on Monday and see how it feels.”

Neto has been one of the few bright spots for the Angels (30-46) as they’ve slogged through their first season of the post-Ohtani era, while Ohtani has continued to torture baseballs for the first-place Dodgers (48-31).

Ohtani’s two-run homer against right-hander Zach Plesac sailed within a few rows of the top of the right field pavilion, causing an eruption from the Dodger Stadium sell-out crowd of 53,273.

“Just caught too much plate,” Plesac said. “He put a good swing on it. He’s been seeing the ball really well. He’s got like a 2.000 OPS in his last two weeks, so I should have pitched around him a little better in that situation.”

In the last week Ohtani has hit four homers of at least 450 feet. His homer on Saturday was his third longest of the season.

“The exit velo is really good and I like the angle coming off the bat,” Ohtani said through an interpreter in an on-field postgame interview.

Ohtani is now up to 23 homers, to go with a .321 average and a 1.030 OPS.

Ohtani reached base all four times on Friday night, but the rest of the Dodgers were mostly shut down by the Angels, who squeaked out a 10-inning victory.

This time the rest of the Dodgers joined Ohtani to lead to a comfortable victory.

Gavin Lux got the Dodgers on the board first with a third-inning homer, his first homer since May 7.

After Cavan Biggio reached on an infield single, Ohtani got a hanging slider from Plesac and bumped the lead to 3-0. Freddie Freeman doubled and scored on an Andy Pages double.

The Dodgers added two more in the fourth and one in the fifth, including an RBI single from Lux. Including Lux, the bottom three hitters in the Dodgers order combined for six hits and five runs.

“To get those guys at the bottom, collectively, then it just makes our offense tough to navigate,” Roberts said. “You just don’t want to be too top heavy as we have been for a good part of the year.”

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Plesac, who joined the Angels rotation after José Soriano went on the injured list because of an abdominal infection, was charged with six runs in 3-1/3 innings.

Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow cruised through the Angels lineup, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits in seven innings, with 10 strikeouts and no walks. It was the sixth double-digit strikeout game of the season for the major league strikeout leader, and the third one in which he struck out 10 without issuing a walk.

“I felt efficient,” said Glasnow, who threw only 74 pitches. “I was glad I could get ahead and put guys away quick and keep my pitch count low.”

Glasnow did not allow a baserunner until Nolan Schanuel reached on catcher’s interference in the fourth. Schanuel then scored on Taylor Ward’s one-out double.

Glasnow retired the next 10 consecutive hitters, before Logan O’Hoppe’s homer in the seventh. It was O’Hoppe’s 10th homer of the season.

Although the Dodgers won the game handily, the Angels did enjoy one nice moment on the mound.

Right-hander Hans Crouse, an Orange County product who hadn’t been in the big leagues in three years, pitched a perfect inning. He struck out two and even retired Ohtani.

“He didn’t back down,” Washington said. “He went through the top one-two-three, and he did a tremendous job. And I just wanted him to leave on that note.”

Shohei Ohtani blasts another monster homer in Dodgers victory over Angels

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