Ohtani Defers on ABS Challenge, Dodgers Lose 9-8
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- Ohtani let two borderline 98 mph fastball calls stand on a 3-0 count to Brandon Lowe in the 7th, with catcher Dalton Rushing declining to challenge and Ohtani — holding his final challenge — deferring rather than tapping his cap
- Lowe responded with a two-run double on the next pitch to end Ohtani's night, igniting a five-run 8th-inning Pirates rally that featured a three-run homer from Tyler Callihan and a two-run shot by Spencer Horwitz
- Ohtani allowed season highs of six hits, four runs, and three earned runs — statistically his toughest mound outing this season, and he later admitted he 'could have done a few challenges'
- Ohtani also launched a two-run homer in the top of the 9th to pull the Dodgers within a single run, but the comeback fell short
- Dave Roberts announced postgame that starting catcher Will Smith is heading to the 10-day injured list with a neck injury, likely elevating Rushing — the catcher involved in the deferred challenge — to more work with Ohtani
- The Dodgers had been 36-3 when leading after seven innings entering the night, underscoring how rare a blown lead of that size is for Los Angeles
Why it matters: The Dodgers' bullpen collapse after Ohtani yielded the lead is jarring given their 36-3 record when leading after seven this season, and Ohtani himself acknowledged the deferred challenge may have been the turning point. With Will Smith heading to the 10-day IL, the less-experienced Rushing is now the catcher Ohtani shook off multiple times in this game — a chemistry wrinkle that will get more exposure going forward.
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