Flaherty shines in Dodgers debut, Ohtani hits 30-30 club in 10-0 win over Athletics
OAKLAND, Calif. — Jack Flaherty pitched six intense innings in his Dodgers debut and Los Angeles snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Oakland Athletics 10-0 on Saturday night.
“Anytime you can help the team win, that’s what counts,” Flaherty said. “I’m going to take some time tonight to soak it all in. I’m just excited to be here and have a chance to contribute.”
Shohei Ohtani stole three bases for Los Angeles, giving him 31 this season, to go along with his 33 home runs. It’s just the fourth time a Dodgers player has reached the milestone. Club 30-30 in a season and only three major leaguers have done it faster than Ohtani, who accomplished it in the 111th game of the season. Eric Davis was the fastest to do it in 1987 when he reached it in Cincinnati’s 105th game.
Flaherty (8-5) had the best night in his first game since joining the acquired Tuesday in a deadline deal from Detroit. It paid immediate dividends for a struggling Dodgers team that had lost five of six games before he took the mound in Oakland.
He allowed five hits, walked one and struck out five in an impressive performance. He finished his night by getting out of a tough situation with the bases loaded and no outs in the sixth inning by inducing two grounders and a strikeout.
“I think we were all excited to see Jack get on the mound and put on his Dodgers uniform,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He played really well. He had a quiet intensity. He was very focused, very controlled. I loved the way he used his whole mix of pitches.”
Dodgers starters had a combined 5.88 ERA over the previous 28 games, second-worst in the major leagues over that span, contributing to the decision to acquire Flaherty.
Gavin Lux gave Flaherty the lead in the third inning with a two-run single off Mitch Spence (7-7), leading the Dodgers to their second win in seven games on the road trip. Los Angeles now holds a 4 1/2-game lead over San Diego in the NL West.
The A’s had won 10 of 14 games with 31 home runs before being shut out by Flaherty and the Los Angeles bullpen in front of an announced crowd of 35,207, the Coliseum’s largest of the season.
Manager Mark Kotsay said the missed opportunity in the sixth inning was the key point of the game and pointed to a 2-0 pitch to Seth Brown with one out that was called a strike even though replay showed it was low and wide. Brown was tagged out.
“It was definitely a ball,” Kotsay said. “It changed the game. It really changed the game. It’s 3-0 with Brownie leading. You never know what happens, but it definitely gives the hitter the advantage.”
Ohtani stole two bases in the ninth inning and the Dodgers opened the game with six runs to make it 10-0, setting the stage for position player Kiké Hernandez to finish the game with a scoreless inning in relief for Los Angeles.
AT THE FARM
Dodgers prospect Cameron Decker had a night to remember Friday. Decker had six hits and 10 RBIs for Class A Rancho Cucamonga in a 17-5 win over San Jose of the California League. No other minor leaguer has had at least six hits and 10 RBIs in a game since single-game records began in 2005.
TRAINERS’ ROOM
Dodgers: Right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (right triceps strain) threw a 20-pitch session in what manager Dave Roberts called a “big step.” Yamamoto will throw another session Tuesday. “We’re moving in the right direction,” Roberts said. … Starting infielder Mookie Betts (left hand fracture) is targeting a return to the lineup Aug. 12 or 13.
Athletics: All-Star relief pitcher Mason Miller had the cast removed from his broken left pinky finger and played catch before the game. He is expected to throw live batting practice Monday. … Right-handed relief pitcher Dany Jiménez (left oblique strain) threw live batting practice Saturday and will return to Triple-A Las Vegas for a rehab assignment Tuesday.
FOLLOWING
Right-handed pitcher River Ryan (1-0, 0.82 ERA) starts the final series for the Dodgers against right-handed pitcher Osvaldo Bido (2-2, 5.00).
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