MLB: Ohtani gets 7th win despite allowing 4 runs, ERA rises to 1.47; makes rare pinch-hitting appearance

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani secured his seventh victory of the season on Wednesday, pitching six innings and giving up four earned runs in a 5-4 comeback win against the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite a tougher outing that saw his earned run average climb to 1.47, Ohtani's resilience was evident.

In a rare move, Ohtani, who was the starting pitcher, also stepped up to pinch hit in the sixth inning. This occurred after the Rays had taken a 4-3 lead in the fifth inning, during which Ohtani allowed multiple hits and was seen with a bleeding finger. The Dodgers managed to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth with a bases-loaded walk.

The Dodgers' offense came alive in the sixth inning when Freddie Freeman blasted a go-ahead two-run home run, securing the lead. Ohtani had previously allowed a sacrifice fly and an RBI single in the fifth, contributing to the four runs charged against him. He threw 91 pitches, 63 of which were strikes, and his fastball reached up to 101 mph.

While Ohtani's performance on the mound was mixed, his contribution as a hitter, albeit brief, added another layer to his dual-threat capabilities. The Dodgers' bullpen held the lead, with closer Alex Vesia securing his third save of the season despite issuing three walks in the ninth inning.

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I’m sorry but this is absolutely ridiculous, how is this allowed? Shohei Ohtani is now pinch hitting in the 6th inning of a game he started on the mound while not being in the lineup