Dodgers optimistic after Ohtani exits finale with left knee inflammation

PITTSBURGH -- The Dodgers defeated the Pirates, 8-6, on Thursday night at PNC Park, but it was a costly victory, as superstar Shohei Ohtani was pinch-hit for in the bottom of the seventh inning with left knee inflammation.

Per manager Dave Roberts, Ohtani experienced pain in his left knee/hamstring area after a stolen-base attempt that was a foul ball, and the decision to remove him was purely precautionary.

Roberts downplayed the significance of the injury after the game and said he was optimistic that Ohtani would play Friday night when his team opens a three-game series of division leaders with the White Sox at Rate Field.

“We tried to be smart about it and get him out of the game,” Roberts said. “He told the trainer that he felt a little something behind his knee, and I just didn’t see any sense in risking it.”

Ohtani was not available to the media after the game.

Ohtani hit a solo homer in the third inning off Mitch Keller to open the scoring and reached base all four times he stepped to the plate, singling and walking twice. Santiago Espinal entered as pinch-hitter and remained in the game as DH.

Ohtani is hitting .305/.421/.543 in 67 games this season with 13 homers and six stolen bases. As a pitcher, his record is 6-2 in 11 starts with a 1.06 ERA, including a quality start on Wednesday vs. the Bucs (four runs, three earned, on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings with six strikeouts).

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman admitted it was a little scary to see Ohtani leave the game.

“He’s only the greatest player in the world,” Freeman said.

Two innings prior, left-hander Justin Wrobleski exited with a right hamstring contusion when he collided with Pittsburgh left fielder Bryan Reynolds at first base.

Reynolds hit a ball back through the box that caromed off Wrobleski and toward Freeman. Wrobleski raced to cover first base and collided with Reynolds at the bag while taking the throw from Freeman. Reynolds beat the play for a single as both he and Wrobleski tumbled to the ground.

Wrobleski was attended to by the Dodgers athletic trainers and then pulled from the game with Will Klein coming on in relief.

Wrobleski allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over 4 2/3 innings, recording just one strikeout.

Roberts is optimistic that Wrobleski will make his next start. Wrobleski was also upbeat.

“I’ll get some treatment on it and I’ll be fine,” Wrobleski said. “I don’t think it’s a big deal. Just a little frustrating.”

Ohtani and Andy Pages had two hits, RBIs and runs scored apiece, and Kyle Tucker hit a two-run single to power the Dodgers' offense.

Jack Dreyer (3-1) pitched one scoreless inning for the win and Tanner Scott had a four-out save, his seventh overall this season.

The Dodgers had to hang on for the win after leading 5-0 in the fourth inning. That was something Los Angeles hadn't been able to do on Wednesday night, when they led 6-1 in the sixth but lost 9-8.

The Dodgers took two of three in the series.

“It was a very hot and very humid three days,” Freeman said. “It was a tough series, and I’m just glad we won it.”