Ohtani launches home run No. 54 and steals base 57 as the NL West champion Dodgers defeat the Rockies 11-4

DENVER – Shohei Ohtani hit his 54th home run of the season, a massive three-run blast after stealing his 57th base early in the game, and the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers prevailed 11-1 on Friday night. 4 against the Colorado Rockies.

The Dodgers designated hitter finished 4 of 5 games, including two singles and a double, and drove in four runs. He now has 24 hits in his last 34 at-bats.

Ohtani is making a serious push for a Triple Crown, leading the NL in home runs (54) and RBI (130). He raised his average to .309 and trailed only Luis Arráez (.312 on Friday) in contention for the title.

With his hit to second base in the second inning, Ohtani passed Ichiro Suzuki for the most bases stolen by a Japanese-born player in a single season. Ohtani wore spikes with a picture of his dog, Decoy.

Ohtani’s three-run blast in the sixth inning landed in the second deck at Coors Field. It was clear from the first strike that the sellout crowd immediately erupted into a frenzy, an early show before the fireworks expected after the game.

His 408 total bases this season are the second most in franchise history. Babe Herman set the record of 416 in 1930.

Teoscar Hernández got Los Angeles started with a two-run home run in the first. Andy Pages also scored for the Dodgers, who came to town fresh off securing their third straight league title on Thursday. The Dodgers moved two games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies and are at the top of the NL.

Ben Casparius (2-0) got the win for Los Angeles with 4 1/3 innings pitched in a game in which the Dodgers started reliever Ryan Brasier.

Cal Quantrill (8-11) struggled against the Dodgers’ strong lineup, allowing six runs and two home runs over 3 1/3 innings.

The Rockies have now lost 99 games this season. With a record of 61-99, they must win their last two games to avoid back-to-back 100-loss seasons.

It was a fortunate coincidence that the second base bag had to be replaced when Charlie Blackmon stepped to the plate in the first inning. The change allowed his walk-up song “Your Love” by The Outfield to be played a little longer. The designated hitter/outfielder, known for his bushy beard, announced Monday that he is retiring after 14 seasons, all with the Rockies.

The organization will honor him before Sunday’s season finale. Blackmon had a single and two walks on Friday.

TRAINING ROOM

Dodgers: 1B Freddie Freeman was unable to make the trip to Colorado to rest his sore ankle. Freeman was on crutches and in a walking boot after leaving Thursday’s game. The Dodgers also kept SS Miguel Rojas home because of a torn adductor muscle.

NEXT

The Dodgers will send righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-2, 2.96 ERA) to the mound on Saturday night. The Rockies counter with right winger Antonio Senzatela (0-0, 3.38).

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