Ohtani went 1 for 4 with his tying triple in the third inning after the two-way superstar received a warm welcome back to the stadium where he excelled for the Angels over the previous six years. Ohtani won two American League Most Valuable Player awards and a Rookie of the Year trophy while redefining what’s possible in modern baseball, but he couldn’t lead the long-struggling Angels to a winning season.
“The biggest part of all this is being able to play at this stadium in front of the Anaheim fans,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “That was the part that was special for me. ... Most importantly, it’s about winning the game, and I’m glad we won.”
The Dodgers already led 3–2 in the 10th on Miguel Rojas’ RBI single before the Angels intentionally walked their former star slugger to get to Betts, who drove the next pitch from Roansy Contreras (2–4) over the left-field fence.
“With Shohei doing what Shohei always does, I understand their perspective,” Betts said. “So, I was just trying to get a good pitch to hit.”
Ron Washington was the first opposing manager to intentionally walk the batter in front of Betts, an eight-time All-Star and former American League MVP, since 2016.
“You’re picking poison when you deal with the first three hitters,” Washington said. “I wasn’t going to let Ohtani swing there, and I have all the respect in the world for Mookie Betts. I just was hoping Contreras could make a pitch and get us a ground ball.”
Ohtani and Betts, who drove in four runs, celebrated at home plate before the major league-leading Dodgers finished off their 12th win in the past 15 games.
“It was still a big hit, but when another manager walks the player in front of you, you take it personally,” Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts said. “I know Wash had nothing personal. It’s a fine baseball decision, but as a player, that’s what motivates you.”
Ohtani got more cheers than boos from a sellout crowd featuring thousands of blue-clad Dodgers fans when he stepped to the plate as the game’s first hitter. The Angels didn’t give him a major tribute, only posting a graphic with a list of his top accomplishments with the franchise he chose to be his first major league club in late 2017.
“Probably a little more enthusiasm than typical down here,” Dodgers starter Walker Buehler said of the sellout crowd. “We’re an hour away, but it’s a different situation for us.”
Michael Kopech (5–8) pitched the ninth for the Dodgers.
Logan O'Hoppe and Taylor Ward homered for the Angels, who failed to record three straight wins for the first time since July 24.
Angels starter Reid Detmers struck out 10 and yielded three hits over six innings. The left-hander was sharp in his first major league appearance since June 1, before he was demoted to the minor leagues after months of inconsistency.
Buehler allowed five hits and two walks over five innings for the Dodgers, making a modest improvement on his previous four starts as he attempts to lock down a spot in their postseason plans.
O'Hoppe hammered a 438-foot shot off Buehler in the second inning for his 18th homer, the most by an Angels catcher since 2008.
Ohtani’s drive in the third got lodged in the right-field corner, allowing Rojas to score from first. Ohtani then strolled home on Betts’ single over a drawn-in infield.
Ward tied it again when he put his 20th homer of the season into the short porch in right field in the fifth inning, extending his hitting streak to a career-best 13 games.
