The Arizona Diamondbacks delivered a dramatic late-inning comeback to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-4 on Tuesday night, spoiling a stellar pitching performance from Shohei Ohtani and sending a jolt through the National League playoff race.
Ohtani’s Gem Overshadowed by Bullpen Collapse
Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ two-way superstar, was electric on the mound, tossing six scoreless innings and striking out eight. His fastball routinely touched 98-100 mph, even hitting 101.2 at one point, and he allowed just five singles while keeping the Diamondbacks’ bats quiet. Ohtani, who has been ramping up his workload after returning from elbow surgery, threw a season-high 91 pitches in his 100th career MLB start.
Despite Ohtani’s dominance, the Dodgers’ bullpen faltered again—a recurring theme as October approaches. After building a 4-0 lead, Los Angeles watched it evaporate as Arizona chipped away, setting the stage for a wild finish.
Ninth-Inning Heroics: Perdomo Walks It Off
Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth, the Diamondbacks tied the game with a sacrifice fly from Jorge Barrosa. With two outs and the winning run on second, Geraldo Perdomo lined a single to left off Dodgers closer Tanner Scott, scoring Tim Tawa and sending Chase Field into a frenzy. The walk-off win keeps Arizona just one game out of the final NL Wild Card spot, intensifying the playoff chase as the regular season winds down.
Dodgers’ Playoff Picture Gets Complicated
The loss is a gut punch for the Dodgers, who have already clinched a playoff berth but are fighting for seeding and momentum. Their bullpen woes have become a glaring concern, with fans and insiders questioning whether struggling relievers like Blake Treinen should be left off the postseason roster. The Dodgers are likely to face the Mets, Reds, or even these same Diamondbacks in the Wild Card round, making every late-game meltdown more significant.
Diamondbacks Refuse to Fade
Arizona, written off by many after selling at the trade deadline, remains very much alive in the postseason hunt. The team’s resilience was on full display, rallying against one of baseball’s best lineups and a generational talent in Ohtani. With just days left in the regular season, every game is a must-win, and the D-backs proved they’re not backing down.
What’s Next?
The Dodgers and Diamondbacks continue their series with another crucial matchup, as both teams jockey for playoff positioning. All eyes will be on the Dodgers’ bullpen and whether they can right the ship before October. For Arizona, the mission is simple: keep winning and hope for help elsewhere in the standings.
Key Takeaways:- Shohei Ohtani’s pitching remains elite, but the Dodgers’ bullpen is a major liability.
- The Diamondbacks’ walk-off win keeps their playoff hopes alive.
- The NL Wild Card race is tighter than ever, with both teams’ postseason fates hanging in the balance.
Sources
1. Dodgers bullpen spoils another gem from Ohtani
2. Los Angeles Dodgers - Bleacher Report
3. Geraldo Perdomo's walk-off hit leads Diamondbacks to wild comeback win over Dodgers
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5. September 23: Diamondbacks 5, Dodgers 4
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10. SaveEli 2: Karma Police | True Blue LA
