Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani matches Clayton Kershaw in baseball history

Ohtani delivers quality start despite Dodgers' loss to Blue Jays

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:29am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher in the middle of his delivery, with the batter, catcher, and umpire all represented in sharp, overlapping geometric shapes, conveying the energy and movement of the game.Ohtani's stellar pitching performance is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration, highlighting the dynamic interplay of players on the baseball diamond.Los Angeles Today

In the Dodgers' series finale against the Blue Jays in Toronto, star pitcher Shohei Ohtani put forth a strong performance on the mound, going 6.0 innings while allowing just 4 hits, 1 walk, and 0 earned runs. Despite Ohtani's quality outing, the Dodgers ultimately suffered a disappointing loss.

Why it matters

Ohtani's performance continues to cement his status as one of the game's elite two-way players, matching the legendary Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw in certain statistical categories. However, the Dodgers' inability to secure the win despite Ohtani's efforts highlights the team's ongoing struggles this season.

The details

Ohtani struck out 2 batters during his 6 innings of work, delivering a strong outing that kept the Dodgers in the game. However, the Dodgers' offense was unable to provide enough run support, leading to the team's defeat against the Blue Jays.

  • The game took place on Wednesday, April 9, 2026.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

A star pitcher and hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers, known for his exceptional two-way abilities.

Clayton Kershaw

A legendary pitcher who spent the majority of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, known for his dominance on the mound.

Los Angeles Dodgers

A professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California, and a member of the National League in Major League Baseball.

Toronto Blue Jays

A professional baseball team based in Toronto, Ontario, and a member of the American League in Major League Baseball.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Shohei was great on the mound today, but we just couldn't get the bats going to support him. We'll need to regroup and come back stronger in our next series.”

— Dave Roberts, Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers

What’s next

The Dodgers will look to bounce back in their upcoming series against the San Francisco Giants, where Ohtani is expected to take the mound again.

The takeaway

Shohei Ohtani's dominant pitching performance was not enough to secure a win for the struggling Dodgers, highlighting the team's need to find more consistent offensive production to support their star two-way player.