WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Shohei Ohtani launched a three-run homer in the sixth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Athletics 9-4 on Monday night before a sold-out crowd at Sutter Health Park.
Ohtani’s 18th home run of the season, off reliever Matt Krook, landed on the grass hill beyond the bullpens and drew the loudest cheers from a crowd heavily clad in Dodger blue. Max Muncy and Andy Pages also went deep for Los Angeles (55-30), which owns the best record in the National League.
Eric Lauer (4-5) earned the win in his return to a traditional starting role, allowing three runs and nine hits over six innings. The left-hander struck out two and walked one. It was his fifth start since the Dodgers acquired him from Toronto on May 17.
Kyle Hurt struck out the side in the seventh. Jonathan Hernández retired four batters, and Jack Dreyer recorded the final two outs in the ninth.
Muncy hit his 17th homer off Athletics starter Gage Jump in the fourth inning. Miguel Rojas followed with a double, and Pages hit his 16th homer three batters later to give the Dodgers a 5-3 lead.
The Athletics (28-57) took a 3-2 lead in the second on Colby Thomas’ home run and three consecutive singles, including Joshua Kuroda-Grauer’s first career hit. Kuroda-Grauer finished with three hits.
Jump (3-2) allowed five runs and 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts earned his 999th career victory.
Los Angeles sends left-hander Justin Wrobleski (9-2, 2.71 ERA) to the mound Tuesday against Athletics lefty Jeffrey Springs (3-7, 5.52).
