Shohei Ohtani opened the series finale against Colorado with a 424‑foot leadoff homer to straightaway center, becoming the first pitcher ever to launch a leadoff shot three times in his career. He then limited damage on the mound, surrendering only one run in six innings. His effort helped the Los Angeles Dodgers secure a 4-1 win, extending their streak to five straight victories.

After dropping his ERA to 0.82, Ohtani flirted with a combined no‑hit bid until Rockies outfielder Tyler Freeman broke it with an opposite‑field single in the eighth. The lone Rocky run arrived after a walk and a hit‑by‑pitch, the only baserunners Ohtani allowed despite a season‑low 56.6% strike rate. He vented his irritation, saying the four walks and the hit‑by‑pitch reflected an inefficiency he wants to erase.

Beyond the win, Ohtani’s 13‑game slash line of .383/.508/.723 cements his claim as the NL front‑runner for the Cy Young award, eclipsing historic benchmarks set by Valenzuela and de Grom. His ERA of 0.82 ranks lowest for any Dodgers starter through nine starts, a mark not seen since 1981. With the Dodgers perched atop the NL West, his two‑way dominance continues to reshape expectations for a player who can win games from both mound and plate.