Sports
Shohei Ohtani rallies Dodgers past Tigers to snap four-game losing streak
It wasn’t exactly the blueprint the Dodgers had in mind.
An early deficit. A rookie reliever pitching late in a tied game. A couple end-of-bench bats taking key plate appearances in the ninth.
But when it mattered most Friday night, in the Dodgers’ bid to end a four-game losing streak and build some momentum going into next week’s All-Star break, they had exactly who they wanted at the plate.
In a 4-3 win over the Detroit Tigers, Shohei Ohtani delivered the decisive hit.
When Ohtani came to the plate in the ninth inning Friday, he was scuffling like much of the rest of the Dodgers’ banged-up lineup.
He was hitless on the night and just seven for 32 over his last nine games. During that time, the Dodgers offense had started to slump, managing only seven total runs during their four-game losing streak — including five in a three-game sweep to the Philadelphia Phillies this week.
However, with a thunderous swing and deep fly ball to center, Ohtani sent the Dodgers to a much-needed victory at Comerica Park, breaking the 3-3 with a go-ahead ground-rule double.
“It was just really important to win the first game of the series and finish strong as we’re wrapping up the first half and heading into the All-Star break,” Ohtani said through his interpreter afterward. “It was an important game.”
Indeed, the significance of Friday’s result was evident in the way Dave Roberts managed leading up to Ohtani’s go-ahead hit.
Early on, the Dodgers got a poor performance from starting pitcher James Paxton, who gave up three runs in fewer than four innings while walking four batters and striking out just one.
They also managed little against Tigers ace and American League Cy Young front-runner Tarik Skubal, scoring just two runs in his six-inning start to find themselves trailing 3-2 late.
Despite that, Roberts made his first unorthodox move in the bottom of the sixth, summoning closer Evan Phillips well before the ninth inning.
Roberts had his reasoning: Phillips hadn’t pitched in six days, and the manager wanted to ensure he faced a leverage situation as he knocked off some rust.
However, when Roberts turned to typical set-up man Blake Treinen in the seventh — with his team still down a run — it reflected the overall urgency with which he was treating the game.
“I was trying to shorten the game,” Roberts said, explaining that he turned to his highest-leverage relievers early in hopes it would keep his offense within striking distance for a late comeback.
“[I was] not wanting to, essentially, wave the white flag too soon,” Roberts added.
And, right on cue, his slumping offense responded.
In the eighth inning, Will Smith, Freddie Freeman (who had a home run earlier in the night off Skubal) and Teoscar Hernández strung together consecutive two-out singles to tie the score — with Hernández, in his latest clutch moment of the season, staving off an 0-and-2 count to bounce the game-tying hit the other way through the infield.
Dodgers reliever Daniel Hudson delivers during the ninth inning Friday.
(Duane Burleson / Associated Press)
“We played little ball today, besides Freddie’s homer,” said Hernández, whose 61 RBIs this season trail only Ohtani for the team lead. “Fight every at-bat, every pitch, trying to get the job done.”
The game took another unexpected turn in the bottom of the eighth. With Phillips and Treinen already burned, and the team’s only other available leverage arm, Daniel Hudson, being saved for the ninth, Roberts turned the tie score over to Michael Petersen, a 30-year-old rookie making just his eighth career appearance.
The inning didn’t start well, with Petersen walking the leadoff batter and then committing a balk.
But, against the bottom half of Detroit’s order, the right-hander settled down. He struck out Jake Rogers. He got Javier Báez to fly out. Then he induced a grounder from Gio Urshela, stranding the runner at second to set up the Dodgers’ heroics in the ninth.
“I give the bullpen a ton of credit for picking up five-plus innings or whatever it was,” said Roberts, who also got four big outs from Yohan Ramírez earlier in the night. “They did a tremendous job.”
Two more unsung heroes emerged before the night was through.
With one out in the ninth, Roberts left Chris Taylor in the game for a right-on-right pitching match-up against Tigers reliever Jason Foley. The result: a ground-ball single that got the rally going.
In the next at-bat, Roberts pinch-hit James Outman for Miguel Vargas — only to change course again when the Tigers summoned a lefty, Tyler Holton, from the bullpen.
By that point, the Dodgers’ last remaining right-handed batter was backup catcher Austin Barnes, who doesn’t typically pinch-hit in case he’s later needed behind the plate.
This time, though, Roberts rolled the dice. He knew the team’s bullpen would be thin in extra innings. He sensed an opportunity to strike in the ninth.
“Essentially,” Roberts said, “you’re trying to find a way to win the game right there.”
It worked, with Barnes flaring a single to center two batters before Ohtani’s decisive drive.
Usually, Roberts steers away from managing so aggressively; an organizational concession that, for a first-place team with a large division lead, not every game needs to be treated like a must-win.
Friday’s “math,” though, was different, Roberts said.
Because they were swept by the Phillies this week. Because of the wave of recent injuries that have wreaked havoc on their roster. And because of their desire to rebound before next week’s All-Star break.
A win Friday, he said with a smile before first pitch, “would be a great remedy” to the team’s recent woes.
Once it was secured, in a more dramatic fashion than even he could’ve imagined, Roberts sat in his office postgame, smiling again.
“Across the board, we got the hits that we were hoping for,” he said with a sigh of relief. “It just comes with the fight I know we have.”
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The Atlanta Hawks have parted ways with four-time NBA All-Star point guard Trae Young, trading him to the Washington Wizards in a blockbuster move, according to ESPN.
The Hawks will reportedly be receiving veteran shooting guard CJ McCollum and forward Corey Kispert in the deal.
Washington was Young’s preferred destination, and the two sides were working on a deal to get the 27-year-old point guard to the nation’s capital.
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Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round 1 Game 6 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. ( Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Young’s agents were having conversations with the Hawks, who sit at 17-21 so far this season, about trading their client out of Atlanta.
There is a mutual connection in Washington, too, as executive Travis Schlenk drafted Young fifth overall in 2018 out of Oklahoma.
It marks the end of an era for the Hawks. Young has been the focal point of their offense since he was taken in that draft. He is the team’s career leader in three-pointers and assists, having led the team to the postseason in three of his eight seasons. The Hawks went the furthest in 2021, where they made the Eastern Conference Finals.
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However, the new era was brewing already in Atlanta, with forward Jalen Johnson taking the next step in his career, averaging 23.7 points per game this season. The pickup of Nickeil Alexander-Walker also helps, as he’s averaged 20.5 points per game in 36 appearances.
Meanwhile, Young has played just 10 games this season, as he’s been dealing with leg injuries, most notably a right MCL sprain.
Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on after the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Five of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Hawks also get some flexibility on their books, as they could make some more moves. Anthony Davis is reportedly available from the Dallas Mavericks, making him a good target for Atlanta.
Young has $95 million remaining on his deal that runs through the 2026-27 season, which includes a player option this offseason.
Atlanta will be taking on McCollum’s contract, though the veteran guard has a $30.6 million expiring deal.
Through his 10 games this season, Young is averaging 19.2 points, 8.9 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 41.5% from the field.
Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks drives down the court during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at State Farm Arena on April 7, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Over his career, Young has dropped 25.2 points and 9.8 assists per game, while leading the league in the latter category last season with 11.6 per contest.
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On the opening night of Mission League basketball action Wednesday, there was a huge upset, one close call and two easy victories.
Loyola, down 16 points going into the fourth quarter, started making threes and stunned Sherman Oaks Notre Dame on the road 72-68. Deuce Newt scored 23 points for the Cubs (10-9). First-year coach Cam Joyce saw his team take a leap in ability when Newt became eligible on Dec. 26 after transferring from Campbell Hall. Randall Sanders added 15 points.
No. 1-ranked Sierra Canyon (14-1) held on for a 50-47 win over St. Francis. The Golden Knights gave the Trailblazers a real scare with a chance to tie at the end of regulation. Maxi Adams made two clutch free throws in the final seconds for Sierra Canyon. Brandon McCoy had 19 points and 12 rebounds. Cherif Millogo scored 14 points for the Golden Knights.
Harvard-Westlake improved to 18-2 with an 84-51 win over Chaminade (18-2). Amir Jones made six threes and had 26 points. Joe Sterling added 21 points and Dominique Bentho had 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Crespi (14-6) defeated Bishop Alemany 87-59. Jasiah Williams and Christian Tshina-Nzambi each scored 20 points.
On Friday night, it will be Notre Dame at Sierra Canyon, Harvard-Westlake at Crespi and Chaminade at Loyola.
Arcadia 87, Burroughs 51: Owen Eteuati Edwards scored 23 points and had eight rebounds for Arcadia.
Fairfax 77, Carson 40: Dominick Bowie had 14 points for the Lions.
San Pedro 67, Hamilton 37: Chris Morgan had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Pirates (13-4).
California 105, Saddleback 77: Jair Linares had 26 points for 11-7 California.
Tesoro 78, Capistrano Valley 39: Dean Mika finished with 23 points for 18-3 Tesoro.
St. Monica 67, St. Bernard 58: St. Monica won in overtime. Jordan Ballard scored 20 points for St. Bernard.
Los Alamitos 57, Huntington Beach 47: Sophomore Isaiah Williamson contributed 11 points and 12 rebounds in the Sunset League win.
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A chaotic scene unfolded at Auburn University on Tuesday night as a wild buzzer-beater was waved off well after the Tigers had celebrated on their own court.
With 0.6 seconds remaining and Auburn trailing 90-88, KeShawn Murphy, somehow left wide open, caught an inbounds pass and nailed a long 3-pointer for what was thought to be the game-winner.
However, officials went to the scorer’s table to review the play, which was awfully close.
Auburn Tigers players watch the replay of a possible game-winning shot that was called back as Auburn Tigers take on Texas A&M Aggies at Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (Jake Crandall/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Ultimately, officials ruled that the shot had not gone off in time, ending the Tigers’ celebration and prompting one from Texas A&M.
The officials quickly made themselves public enemy number one and were showered with debris from fans on their way off the court. At least one referee needed his head to be covered.
One fan sitting courtside even turned his back and threw his drink over his shoulder aimed at an official.
“They didn’t say a word. They just said it was no good and ran off the floor. I probably wouldn’t want to talk to me in that moment, anyway,” Auburn head coach Steven Pearl, who took over for his dad, Bruce this season, said after the game. “So, I get why they’d run away from me. Just from the angles that I saw, it looked like it was off his fingers. But that was just, I don’t have all the same angles they have.”
Texas A&M Aggies players celebrate victory as Auburn Tigers take on Texas A&M Aggies at Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (Jake Crandall/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
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It is now six losses in their last 10 games for the Tigers after starting 5-1. They lost in the Final Four last year to Florida, who won the national championship over Houston.
Auburn (9-6, 0-2) led 47-37 at halftime and extended the margin to 61-45 with 12:29 remaining.
KeShawn Murphy of the Auburn Tigers reacts after officials ruled that his last-second shot did not beat the shot clock to win the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Neville Arena on Jan. 6, 2026 in Auburn, Alabama. (Stew Milne/Getty Images)
Texas A&M answered with a steady run fueled by outside shooting, taking its first lead at 8:42 when Pop Isaacs buried a 3-pointer. The Aggies followed with back-to-back triples from Isaacs to open a five-point cushion that they would not relinquish, by the skin of their teeth.
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