Pirates Overcome Five-Run Deficit to Beat Dodgers 9-8

The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-8 on Wednesday night after erasing a five-run deficit with five runs in the eighth inning. Shohei Ohtani started for the Dodgers and pitched into the seventh inning for the third time this season. He allowed six hits, four runs and three earned runs before exiting after a two-run double by Brandon Lowe.

The Dodgers led 8-3 entering the seventh after Ryan Ward hit a grand slam. Tyler Callihan singled and Jake Mangum reached on a swinging bunt before Lowe came to the plate. Ohtani fell behind 3-0 on two borderline 98 mph fastballs called balls by plate umpire Felix Neon.

Catcher Dalton Rushing did not challenge the calls, and Ohtani chose not to use the team's final challenge. Lowe hit a two-run double on the next pitch. Max Muncy then committed an error that allowed Lowe to score, leaving the Dodgers ahead by two runs entering the eighth.

Tyler Callihan hit a three-run home run in the eighth, and Spencer Horwitz followed with a two-run home run to give the Pirates a 9-7 lead. Ohtani hit a two-run home run in the top of the ninth to cut the deficit to one. Ohtani said after the game that he usually lets catchers decide on challenges.

"I usually let the catchers make that determination," he said. " Manager Dave Roberts described challenging pitches as an "inexact science" and said the decision belongs to the players with the best view. The Dodgers entered the game 36-3 when leading after seven innings.

Ohtani had been limited in his use of split-fingered fastballs due to a blister on his right hand.