Shohei Ohtani lets the Dodgers breathe easier with victory over the Padres

As Dave Roberts put it: Wednesday was a day of calm, not concern.

The Dodgers manager had not expected passionate speeches from his players, even after Tuesday's loss, which ended in a triple play.

He didn't fire up the locker room or hold an impromptu late-season meeting even as the team's lead in the division dwindled. Instead, Roberts just wanted a clean, complete performance from his injury-plagued but still resilient team in the second act of this week's crucial three-game series against the San Diego Padres.

“We play 162 games and there are a lot of heartbreaking games,” Roberts said before the first pitch. “And the thing about baseball players is they have to come back the next day and win.”

With a lot of help from Shohei Ohtani and an outstanding bullpen, the Dodgers did just that.

Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Padres wasn't a National League West victory for the Dodgers, but with four games left in the regular season and their lead in the division back up to three games, they can get the champagne bottles and plastic wrap ready.

At another turning point where their top spot in the standings seemed to be faltering, the Dodgers have once again found a way to stabilize their season. And if they beat the Padres (91-67) again on Thursday night or win at least twice in their final regular-season series this weekend in Colorado, they will clinch their 11th division title in the last 12 years.

“It was great to bounce back after last night,” said third baseman Max Muncy. “I thought we played with a little more energy.”

The biggest source of energy was Ohtani, who continued his storming run to end the season with the recent confirmation of his MVP candidacy. Not only did the hitter go two-of-three with a double, a walk, two RBIs and his 56th stolen base, but he also played a key role in each of the team's three scoring rallies, most notably a sixth-inning single that broke a 3-3 tie.

“I think the enthusiasm of the fans and the team spirit are great,” Ohtani said in Japanese after improving his last 34 hits to 19 during an incredible eight-game hitting streak. “I think these are ingredients to increase concentration.”

Tommy Edman scores as Padres catcher Elias Diaz jumps up for a late throw in the fourth inning.

(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Struggling first baseman Freddie Freeman also showed some life at bat, collecting two hits. Gavin Lux shook off a four-for-37 losing streak with an RBI single in the fourth inning before adding another single in the eighth.

And while starting pitcher Jack Flaherty struggled through a three-run, five-inning start and finished the season with a 3.17 earned run average (ERA) — “It wasn't pretty,” Flaherty said, “but at this point, a win is a win” — the Dodgers' bullpen was outstanding for the rest of the game, throwing a total of four scoreless innings while allowing just three walks and no hits.

“You saw them (win last night) with probably one of the most bizarre game endings I've ever seen, other than maybe Game 4 of the World Series against Tampa Bay,” right-hander Blake Trienen, who highlighted the relief performance with a seven-pitch, two-strikeout eighth inning against the heart of the Padres lineup, told SportsNet LA.

“It doesn't fit,” Treinen added. “I hate losing. And the fact that they are a league rival is no fun. There are phenomenal players there, but I take it personally. I know the guys here, of course we had a bitter taste in our mouths. That's why it's great to come back today and win this game.”

And indeed, the Dodgers rebounded with a seemingly renewed sense of urgency, just as they did a month ago in Arizona and last week in Atlanta when they faced similar situations.

The defense set the tone early. Muncy made a spin throw on the game's opening play. Lux made a double play at second base to end the first inning. Shortstop Miguel Rojas grabbed a line drive with a jumper in the third inning, but later left the game with a left adductor injury that requires an injection and could keep him out of action until Sunday.

Catcher Will Smith also ended the sixth inning by throwing out Xander Bogaerts as he attempted to steal second base.

“That’s what you have to do to win games,” Flaherty said.

The batsmen took some early leads.

Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas throws a throw to first base, completing a double play, as Fernando Tatis Jr. slides to second base.

(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Teoscar Hernández opened the scoring in the first with a two-out, two-strike single, bringing Ohtani home after he advanced to second base on a wild pitch.

A line-drive double by Tommy Edman in the fourth inning sparked another two-out rally, allowing Lux to get his RBI single and Ohtani to get an RBI double that blasted off the right outfield wall with an exit velocity of 117 mph.

“That motivates us,” Roberts said of Ohtani's outstanding form. “When your best player plays with emotion, everyone follows.”

Flaherty failed to keep the Dodgers ahead, allowing two runs in a grueling 32-pitch second inning before leaving a fastball in the zone in the fifth inning that Fernando Tatis Jr. hit deep into left field for a home run.

“The frustrating thing is that we get the lead and then we don't go out and have a shutdown inning,” said Flaherty, who allowed four hits and three walks and had five strikeouts. “That's one of the most important things, keeping the momentum going.”

But from there, the bullpen held the 3-3 tie, with Alex Vesia and Evan Phillips each turning a scoreless frame. Then Ohtani delivered again in the decisive sixth inning, fighting back from an 0-and-2 count against Padres left-hander Adrian Morejon and hitting his game-winning single through the middle of the infield.

“He senses the postseason,” Roberts said, “and understands how important these games are.”

Michael Kopech's ninth-inning save wasn't easy, as the hard-throwing right-hander walked a batter and gave up a stolen base. But when he finished the game by blasting a 101-mph fastball past Donovan Solano, the Dodgers erupted in the dugout – mirroring the reaction of the 52,310 fans.

“I expect our guys to be emotionally exhausted every game from now on and spend a lot of energy on it,” Roberts said. “If they're not, they're not leaving enough on the field.”

On Wednesday night, the Dodgers seemed to get that message, earning a chance to win the NL West title for the first time since 2018 at Dodger Stadium on Thursday.

“You just want to go out there and find ways to win, no matter what it takes,” Flaherty said. “So it's a total team effort. And we've got to get another one tomorrow.”