Dodgers Secure Season-Best Lead in NL West with Victory

LOS ANGELES: Shohei Ohtani achieved his 30th home run for the fifth instance in his MLB tenure, complemented by Will Smith’s two RBIs, propelling the Los Angeles Dodgers to a decisive 6-1 triumph over the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday.

Andy Pages and Michael Conforto each contributed two RBIs as the Dodgers’ record improved to 13-3 since June 14. Smith made three trips to base, drawing two walks and securing a hit, while also scoring twice.

In the fourth inning, a foul ball from Ohtani struck home plate umpire Alan Porter on the right knee, prompting Ohtani to check on him until Porter was able to stand. The three-time MVP subsequently launched a 408-foot homer to center field, ending a zero-for-six slump and increasing the Dodgers’ advantage to 6-1.

The Dodgers delivered a season-high in run support for starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (8-6), who conceded only one run on three hits, notched eight strikeouts, and retired the final 10 batters he encountered.

With this win, the Dodgers marked their 13th victory in the past 16 games and established a season-best eight-game lead in the NL West.

White Sox rookie Shane Smith (3-6) initiated the game with two quick outs in the first, but then issued walks to Will Smith and Max Muncy consecutively. Teoscar Hernandez followed with an RBI single, Andy Pages contributed an RBI double, and Michael Conforto concluded the inning with a two-run single.

Chicago’s sole run resulted from Lenyn Sosa’s RBI single in the third inning. White Sox pitcher Sean Burke is scheduled to make his inaugural career start against the Dodgers on Wednesday. Additionally, Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw is just three strikeouts away from reaching 3,000 in his 18-year career.