Shohei Ohtani Reflects on Non-Challenge in Dodgers' Loss to Pirates After Blowing 5-Run Lead

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani expressed regret over his decision to not challenge a pair of pitches during the Pittsburgh Pirates' rally and eventual 9-8 win on Wednesday.

Ohtani entered the seventh inning with a five-run lead, but he allowed singles to Tyler Callihan and Jake Mangum before giving up a two-run double to Brandon Lowe, which chased him from the game.

While Ohtani ran Lowe's count to 3-0 before the double, a couple of the pitches were borderline strikes, but neither Ohtani nor Dalton Rushing challenged.

Ohtani suggested after the game that he should have challenged in retrospect, telling reporters, "I usually let the catchers make that determination. But looking back, I think situationally, how important it was that at-bat, looking back I think I could have done a few challenges."

Pittsburgh went on the assault against L.A.'s bullpen after Ohtani was lifted, as Lowe scored on an error in the bottom of the seventh before Callihan hit a three-run home run off Kyle Hurt in the eighth to take a 7-6 lead, and Spencer Horwitz extended it to 9-6 with a two-run homer off Jack Dreyer that same inning.

Ohtani gave the Dodgers some hope in the ninth with a two-run home run of his own, but Gregory Soto ultimately shut the door and secured the save.

The loss marked the Dodgers' third in the past six games, while Pittsburgh remained above .500 by running its overall record to 35-33.

Still, the Dodgers are among the best teams in baseball this season, as their 43-25 record has them 7.5 games ahead of the San Diego Padres for the National League West lead.

The reigning, two-time World Series champions are behind only the Atlanta Braves for the best record in the majors, which suggests they are a strong threat to three-peat even after Wednesday's hiccup.