The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman (5) and Shohei Ohtani, right, are greeted in the dugout after they scored on Freeman’s two-run home run during the third inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a home run during the first inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 25, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Chicago White Sox outfielder Tommy Pham leaps but is unable to catch a ball hit for a home run by Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani during the first inning on Tuesday night in Chicago. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Chicago White Sox outfielder Tommy Pham leaps but is unable to catch a ball hit for a home run by Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani during the first inning on Tuesday night in Chicago. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, center, is greeted by third base coach Dino Ebel as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, is greeted outside the dugout by teammate Freddie Freeman after Ohtani hit a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, center, is congratulated by teammate Freddie Freeman after he hit a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Flexen throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Chicago. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Chicago White Sox’s Eloy Jiménez hits an RBI double during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Chicago White Sox’s Eloy Jiménez celebrates his RBI double during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Chicago White Sox’s Luis Robert Jr. is congratulated by teammates after he scored a run during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Chicago. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
The Chicago White Sox’s Andrew Benintendi runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Chicago. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
The Chicago White Sox’s Tommy Pham, right, greets Andrew Benintendi at home after they both scored on Benintendi’s two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Flexen throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman crosses home plate past Chicago White Sox catcher Korey Lee after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning on Tuesday night in Chicago. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, right, is congratulated by teammate Shohei Ohtani after he hit a two-run home run during the third inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman pulls off a batting glove in the dugout after he hit a two-run home run during the third inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Flexen throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and Chicago White Sox catcher Korey Lee watch Ohtani’s RBI single during the fourth inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is greeted by first base coach Clayton McCullough after Ohtani’s go-ahead RBI single during the fourth inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough talks to Shohei Ohtani between pitches during the fourth inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward celebrates at second base after he hit a double while the Chicago White Sox’s Gavin Sheets looks away during the fifth inning on Tuesday night in Chicago. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
The Chicago White Sox’s Korey Lee runs after hitting a double during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Chicago. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas forces out the Chicago White Sox’s Gavin Sheets at second base but is unable to complete a double play on a ball hit by Paul DeJong during the fifth inning on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Baseball fans do the wave in left field as the Chicago White Sox’s Danny Mendick takes a defensive position during the sixth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Dodgers relief pitcher Evan Phillips throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
From left, the Dodgers’ Will Smith, Cavan Biggio, Evan Phillips and Freddie Freeman celebrate after their 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, and Freddie Freeman celebrate after the team’s 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman gives an interview after the team’s 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Dodgers fans wait to get autographs before a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Dodgers on Tuesday in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago White Sox assistant pitching coach Matt Wise, left, greets Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani before their game on Tuesday in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago White Sox assistant pitching coach Matt Wise, left, hugs Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani before their game on Tuesday in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Dodgers fans wait to get autographs before a game between the Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
A baseball fan leans into the protective netting as he waits to get an autograph before a game between the Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
CHICAGO — Maybe you can go home again. But Bobby Miller probably shouldn’t.
Pitching in his home state for the second time this season, Miller lasted just two innings and now has a 19.63 ERA in Illinois (one start each at Wrigley Field and Guaranteed Rate Field). But Shohei Ohtani’s hot streak apparently knows no borders. He hit another home run and drove in the go-ahead run as the Dodgers beat the Chicago White Sox, 4-3, Tuesday night.
“Obviously I’ve been in a tough spot lately,” said Miller, who has allowed eight runs in 8⅓ innings since returning from the injured list. “It’s been tough going back to rehab, it just feels like I’m going through spring training again.
“One thing I can say is every time I’m out there I’m giving it my all every single time. All it takes is just one good outing again just to get in the swing of things. I’m just not going to doubt myself. I know who I am. I know who I can be. I’m just going to keep trusting myself out there.”
Miller’s early departure turned Tuesday into an impromptu bullpen game and the Dodgers’ relievers responded. It was a roll call of nearly everyone who rode the team bus to the South Side. Michael Petersen, Yohan Ramirez, Anthony Banda, Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson and Evan Phillips stranded seven baserunners in seven scoreless innings, holding the White Sox hitless in five at-bats with runners in scoring position while protecting the one-run lead from the fourth inning on.
Dodgers relievers have not given up a run in 13 innings over their past three games.
“Seven innings from pretty much almost everyone except for Vesia and Yarbs,” Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “A lot of guys have to be perfect and that’s hard to do. But they stepped up.
“To cover seven innings is a lot. Gotta give credit to the bullpen. That’s why we won.”
Against the White Sox, the same first-inning formula repeated. The first four White Sox batters reached base. Two scored on a home run by Andrew Benintendi, another on Eloy Jimenez’s RBI double.
Miller (who grew up about 50 miles north of Chicago near the Wisconsin border) gave up another hit and walked consecutive batters with two outs in the second inning, puffing up his pitch count to 60 and prompting Manager Dave Roberts to start the parade of relievers.
Roberts said he is satisfied that Miller is fully healthy after missing two months with a sore shoulder but “he just didn’t feel or look like himself for me. … just trying to get him back to who he was last year, which is not easy.”
“I think tonight he just didn’t have feel. You could see he was searching all night,” Roberts said. “His stuff just wasn’t really sharp, teethy, to put guys away. The changeup was a ball out of hand. The slider was rolling up there. And the fastball, when he did make some good throws with the fastball, they were spoiling them.”
Ohtani led off the game with a home run – with an assist to White Sox right fielder Tommy Pham. Pham jumped at the wall to try and snag Ohtani’s drive and the ball went off his glove then over the wall, confusing Ohtani who rounded first (bat in hand) and had to retreat to make sure he tagged the base.
“I really wasn’t sure if I actually stepped on the bag. So just to be safe I went back,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “I was looking at the ball, hoping it would go out. I didn’t realize I had the bat with me so I dropped it for Clayton (McCullough, first base coach). That’s why I dropped the bat. I just wasn’t quite sure if I stepped on the bag.”
The home run was Ohtani’s 24th of the season, the seventh in his past nine games and fourth in the past five. It was the second time he led off a game with a homer since replacing the injured Mookie Betts in the leadoff spot. And it was his ninth consecutive game with an RBI, tying a franchise record done most recently by Roy Campanella in 1955.
“Regardless of the RBI streak I think it’s really about the team creating the opportunities to drive in the run,” Ohtani said. “Looking back at that situation, if it wasn’t for (Jason) Heyward pulling the ball and moving the guy over (in the ninth inning Monday) there wouldn’t have been an opportunity for me to drive in a run (on a sacrifice fly).”
Ohtani walked to start the third inning and scored on Freeman’s two-run, opposite-field home run.
That tied the score and the Dodgers regained the lead in the fourth inning against White Sox starter Chris Flexen. Gavin Lux drew a one-out walk and went to third base on Miguel Vargas’ single. After Cavan Biggio flew out to shallow left field, Ohtani stroked a two-out single into right field to drive in the go-ahead run.
Over his past nine games (eight as the leadoff hitter), Ohtani is 15 for 34 (.441) with three doubles, seven home runs, nine walks, 16 RBIs and 12 runs scored. He has six multi-hit games during this tear, only one hitless game with at least one extra-base hit and a run scored in eight of the nine games.
Ohtani reached the halfway point of his first season as a Dodger leading MLB in batting average (.320) and the National League in slugging percentage (.634), OPS (1.032) and home runs.
“I don’t know what more we can really say about him. I think we’ve said everything we can since he’s been in this league about what an amazing player he is,” Freeman said. “But when you come over here (to a new team), you just never know how a first year is going to go on any team. But, I mean, sometimes you just have to step back and just appreciate a player like this.”
