“Have to Do a Better Job,” Shohei Ohtani Expresses Disappointment as Dodgers Fall off 1st Place in Division Standings

Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers have lost possession of 1st place in the NL West Standings after they suffered a 6-5 defeat on Wednesday.

“Have to Do a Better Job,” Shohei Ohtani Expresses Disappointment as Dodgers Fall off 1st Place in Division Standings

Shohei Ohtani (Image via Newsweek)

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The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered more heartbreak on Wednesday as they lost 6-5 to the Los Angeles Angels. This defeat saw them getting swept by their city rivals for the 2nd time this season and falling off from 1st place in the NL West standings. Following the game, Shohei Ohtani would express disappointment regarding this and claimed that the team “have to do a better job” to bounce back.

After a dominating start to the season, the Dodgers have experienced a massive skid in their form. They have lost several games and have been swept on a few occasions.

On Wednesday, the team entered the field at Angel Stadium hoping to avoid another series. They would have Ohtani on the mound, making his 9th start of the season.

Though he was dominant against his former teammate, Mike Trout, Ohtani gave up 4 runs and was unable to complete 5 full innings. He threw 4.1 innings and gave up 5 hits, which included 1 home run from Taylor Ward.

The Angels, who were 5-2 down in this game, completed the comeback in the 8th inning. With bases loaded and 2 outs, Logan O’Hoope hit a 2-run single which saw his side take a 6-5 lead. The Dodgers were unable to respond in the top of the 9th inning and lost the game.

This result, along with the 11-1 win of the San Diego Padres over the San Francisco Giants, saw a change in the NL West division standings. The Padres took over sole possession of first place for the first time since April 25.

Speaking with the reporters after the game, Ohtani admitted that it does not feel good to fall down in the standings with too many losses.

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 against the Angels was their 4th successive defeat. In the last 10 games, the Dodgers have a negative 4-6 record, leaving them with an overall record of 68-53.

Speaking for the Angels, this was a historic sweep for them. This was the first time they had completed a 3-game series sweep of the Dodgers at Angel Stadium in over 18 years. The last time they swept their city rivals in their backyard was in May 2007.

Dave Roberts admits he did not expect Dodgers to suffer such slump following series sweep against the Angels

The Los Angeles Dodgers have fallen from the top. For the first time in almost 3 months, the reigning World Series champions do not sit on top of the NL West standings. Following the series sweep against the Los Angeles Angels, Dave Roberts admitted that he did not expect such a slump from his team.

Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts
Dave Roberts (Image via MLB)

Around 5 weeks ago, the Dodgers were 9 games ahead of the San Diego Padres. Their massive slump began after they got swept by the Houston Astros. After the 3-game sweep against them, the Milwaukee Brewers swept them in a 3-game series.

Following the All-Star Break, the Brewers once again swept the Dodgers. Since then, the Dodgers have had mixed results, which have seen them drop several games.

While speaking to the media, Roberts admitted that he did not expect his team to be in this position before that game against the Astros.

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’ next assignment is against the Padres. The two rivals will face off in a 3-game series this weekend at Dodger Stadium. After a 4-game series, they will then lock horns again in another 3-game series at Petco Park next weekend.

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