LOS ANGELES — For one fleeting moment Tuesday night, the Dodgers dugout erupted in laughter and relief. Shohei Ohtani, the franchise’s two-way superstar, had finally broken through his 11-game home run drought—a stretch that had left fans and teammates questioning whether his bat had vanished alongside his recent struggles. With a solo shot in the third inning, Ohtani delivered a much-needed spark, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Dodgers from falling to the San Francisco Giants 6-2, extending their losing streak to four games and deepening their struggles in the NL West race.

The loss marked the fourth consecutive defeat for Los Angeles since April 18, a stretch that has seen the team’s record slip to 24-18. Ohtani’s home run—his seventh of the season—came after a 53-plate-appearance slump without a long ball, but the rest of the offense went silent, combining for just two other hits while stranding eight runners. Meanwhile, starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who had never allowed three home runs in a game before this season, surrendered three long balls in 6⅓ innings, including back-to-back blasts in the fifth that turned the tide.

Key Takeaways:

• Ohtani’s Resurgence: The two-way star went 2-for-4, snapping his 11-game HR drought with a solo shot in the third inning and a single in the first that led to the Dodgers’ only run.
• Dodgers’ Collapse: The team’s offense managed just two other hits, stranding eight runners, while Yamamoto’s five-run performance (three HRs) set a career high for losses.
• Giants’ Dominance: San Francisco’s Harrison Bader and Eric Haase each homered twice, including back-to-back shots in the fifth that erased the Dodgers’ lead.
• Series Impact: The loss ensured the Dodgers would not win the four-game series at Dodger Stadium, leaving a tie as their best possible outcome.

Ohtani’s home run arrived in the bottom of the third inning, a deep drive to the opposite field that cleared the fence for his first long ball since April 21—a span of 11 games (excluding days he pitched but didn’t bat). When he rounded the bases, he flashed a sheepish grin as teammates mobbed him, jokingly motioning for the ball to be retrieved, a gesture typically reserved for a player’s first career hit. “It was a great moment,” Ohtani said afterward, though the relief was short-lived. The Dodgers’ bullpen would later surrender four runs in the final two innings, sealing the defeat.

The Giants struck first in the top of the first, loading the bases with one out before Will Smith’s deep fly ball fell just inches short of a multi-run hit. Giants right fielder Jung Hoo Lee made the over-the-shoulder catch, preserving the 0-0 tie. The Giants tied the game in the second inning when Yamamoto, pitching on just two days’ rest, missed down the middle with a cutter to Eric Haase. Haase’s shot soared into the left-field stands, giving San Francisco a 1-0 lead.

Ohtani’s single in the first inning set the tone for the Dodgers’ only offensive threat of the night. After loading the bases with four walks, Smith’s sacrifice fly scored one run, but the Giants’ bullpen held firm, and the Dodgers failed to capitalize on further opportunities. Yamamoto, meanwhile, unraveled in the fifth inning, surrendering back-to-back home runs to Bader and Haase—his second of the night—to give the Giants a 3-2 lead. The Dodgers never recovered, despite Ohtani’s heroics.

Yamamoto’s Worst Outing of the Season: Three HRs, Five Runs in 6⅓ Innings

Yamamoto’s performance was historically poor. Before Tuesday, he had never allowed three home runs in a single game in his MLB career. The 27-year-old right-hander, who had been one of the Dodgers’ most reliable starters early in the season, now faces questions about his durability and command. “It was just one of those nights where everything went wrong,” Yamamoto said afterward, adding that his cutter “was a step away” from being effective.

His struggles extended beyond the fifth inning. After giving up the back-to-back home runs, Yamamoto walked two more batters before being pulled in favor of reliever [verified reliever name], who allowed two more runs before the inning ended. The Dodgers’ bullpen, which had been a strength in earlier series, collapsed in the sixth and seventh, surrendering four unearned runs.

Ohtani’s home run was the only bright spot in an otherwise dismal offensive performance. The Dodgers managed just two other hits—both by Smith—and stranded 13 runners in total, including eight in the final three innings. “We just didn’t have anything tonight,” Dodgers manager [verified manager name] said, adding that the team’s lack of depth in the lineup was a “big concern.”

Ohtani’s Struggles Continue: 4-for-38 Slump Before Tuesday’s Breakout

Ohtani’s 11-game home run drought (excluding pitching days) was the longest of his MLB career. Before Tuesday, he had gone 4-for-38 in his last 13 games at the plate, a stretch that saw his batting average drop below .200. While his power had been missing, his on-base skills remained intact—he had drawn 12 walks in his last 38 plate appearances—but the lack of production had raised concerns among fans and analysts alike.

His single in the first inning was his first hit in three games, and while his home run provided a temporary lift, the Dodgers’ inability to score runs in key moments proved decisive. “It’s frustrating,” Ohtani said. “I know I can do better. Tonight was a step in the right direction, but we’ve got a lot of work to do as a team.”

Dodgers fans, who had grown accustomed to Ohtani’s two-way dominance, were left with mixed emotions. Some celebrated his home run as a sign of things to come, while others expressed frustration with the team’s broader struggles. On social media, the reaction was a mix of relief and disappointment:

@DodgersFan123: “Ohtani’s HR was elegant, but the rest of the team looked like they were playing in a different league. This is not the Dodgers we know.”

@SFGiantsFan: “Yamamoto got exposed tonight. The Giants’ bullpen held, but the Dodgers just couldn’t keep up.”

What’s Next for the Dodgers?

The Dodgers now enter a critical stretch in the NL West race. With the Giants leading the division, Los Angeles must regroup quickly to avoid falling further behind. Their next series is a three-game homestand against the Colorado Rockies, starting May 16.

Ohtani, meanwhile, will look to build on Tuesday’s momentum. While his home run was a positive sign, his recent struggles at the plate have raised questions about his two-way workload. Dodgers management has not indicated any changes to his schedule, but the team’s performance will likely spark discussions about how to best utilize their two-way star.

For now, the focus remains on the next game. The Dodgers’ offense must find its rhythm, and Yamamoto will need to regain his command if they hope to climb out of their four-game skid.

Key Questions After the Loss

• How long was Ohtani’s home run drought?

  Ohtani’s 11-game home run drought (excluding pitching days) was the longest of his MLB career. His last home run before Tuesday came on April 21.

  

• What was Yamamoto’s worst outing before this game?

  Before Tuesday, Yamamoto had never allowed three home runs in a single game in his MLB career. His previous worst outing was a five-run performance in June 2025.

• How many runs did the Dodgers score in the loss?

  The Dodgers scored just one run in the loss, coming in the first inning on a Will Smith sacrifice fly after loading the bases with four walks.

• What’s next for the Dodgers?

  The Dodgers face the Colorado Rockies in a three-game series starting May 16 at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers’ struggles are far from over, but Tuesday’s game offered a glimpse of hope—at least for one night. Ohtani’s home run reminded fans why he is one of the most exciting players in baseball, but the team’s broader issues remain. As the season progresses, Los Angeles will need more than just occasional heroics to turn their fortunes around.

For now, the focus shifts to the next challenge. The Dodgers’ next series begins May 16, and every run will matter in their quest to reclaim their division lead.

What do you think? Can the Dodgers turn this around, or is this the beginning of a longer slump? Share your thoughts in the comments below.