MLB: Ohtani benched as Dodgers’ lifeless lineup stages miraculous walk-off comeback

Shohei Ohtani watched from the bench as the Dodgers’ “lifeless” lineup suddenly came back to life in the ninth inning. Teoscar Hernández’s walk-off double gave Los Angeles a 3-2 victory over the Cardinals, ending a two-game skid and saving the defending champions from a sweep.

Ohtani has managed only six hits in his past 46 at-bats, a .130 average with no home runs or RBIs over his last 12 games. It marked his first absence from the starting lineup since July 30 against the Mariners. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani had discomfort in his upper right arm, neck and left knee. The team will monitor him daily rather than place him on the injured list for now.

The Dodgers’ broader offensive slump had been just as stark. They scored only 24 runs across their previous six games, ranking 23rd in the majors during that span. Through eight innings, Los Angeles had four hits and left 10 runners on base, going hitless in eight at-bats with runners in scoring position.

Tommy Edman provided most of the offense, collecting three hits through the first eight innings and scoring on a wild pitch in the fifth. He added a fourth hit in the ninth, a single off Korean-American Cardinals closer Riley O’Brien. Mookie Betts then drew a walk before Hernández drove the ball into center field for the winning double.

Two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal also endured a difficult outing. He gave up eight hits in the first three innings, the worst start of his career by that measure, and finished with 10 hits allowed over 5 2/3 innings. He conceded two earned runs, struck out six and walked one, leaving with a 2.86 earned-run average and no decision.