“Superstar” Shohei Ohtani's (Los Angeles Dodgers) fall baseball struggles have left his manager breathing a sigh of relief.

Ohtani started Game 2 of the National League Championship Series (best-of-seven) against the New York Mets in the 2024 Major League Baseball postseason at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, U.S., on Friday (May 15) and went 0-for-3 with two walks and two strikeouts.

After a 9-0 sweep in Game 1, the Dodgers dropped Game 2, 3-7, to even the series at 1-1.

Ohtani led off the bottom of the first inning with an 0-1 count and was retired on a wild pitch. On a 2B-2S pitch count, he swung wildly at a 92-mph (148-kilometer) sinker from Mets left-hander Sean Manaea's five-pitch offering up the middle.

Down 0-6, he led off the bottom of the inning with a three-pitch walk. 0B-2S, he stood on Manaea's three-pitch fastball, a 92.6-mph (148-kilometer) sinker high and away.

Trailing 6-1 in the bottom of the sixth, he grounded out to first base with the bases loaded. After a foul ball on the first pitch, he couldn't get a good look at Manaea's second pitch, a 79.3-mph (127-kilometer) sweeper outside. He got his hand on a pitch that was completely out of the strike zone.

His first out came in his fourth at-bat. Trailing 6-3 with one out in the bottom of the seventh, he calmly lined a straight ball to Phil Meyton. Mookie Betts then struck out swinging and Teoscar Hernandez grounded out to third base, 토토사이트 leaving the bases loaded.

Ohtani reached base with one out in the bottom of the ninth, trailing 7-3. After pinch-hitter Andy Fajes advanced to second on an unassisted steal, he drew a full-count walk off Mets closer Edwin Diaz. But once again, Betts, Hernandez and Freddie Freeman struck out the next three batters to end the threat.

Ohtani's 2024 postseason batting average dropped from 2-for-5 to 2-for-2. He is 6-for-27 with six homers and 12 strikeouts. He also hasn't produced a hit in six straight games since his home run in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres on June 6.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game, “Ohtani didn't look like he had a chance against Manaea,” according to multiple U.S. media outlets. I could tell he was trying to keep the ball away from him as much as possible by throwing his fastball outside. I didn't throw the ball to his body because he's strong to the body,” Roberts sighed.

In addition to Ohtani's silence, the bullpen day was also marred by a mound meltdown. After opener Ryan Braazer went one inning with one hit, one walk and one run, Landon Knapp faltered, allowing five runs on five hits (one homer) with three walks and two strikeouts in two innings. The losing pitcher was Braazer.

Mets starter Manaea picked up the win, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits (one homer) with four walks and seven strikeouts in five innings. He was followed by Phil Meyton (1 1/3 scoreless innings), Ryne Stanek (1 1/3 scoreless innings), and Edwin Diaz (1 1/3 scoreless innings).

At the plate, Mark Bientos went 2-for-5 with a walk-off home run and four RBIs, while Starling Marte was 3-for-5 with a home run and one RBI.

The teams will take a day off before returning to Citi Field on Sunday for Game 3 of the series. Walker Buehler (Dodgers) will start against Luis Severino (Mets).