DETROIT — Shohei Ohtani's two-out RBI double gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a ninth-inning lead and they held on to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-3 on Friday, ending a four-game losing streak.
The Dodgers, after getting swept in Philadelphia, trailed 3-0 after two innings.
''It was really important to get a (win) today,'' Ohtani said through an interpreter. ''I think we played really good and I'm glad it turned out well.''
Chris Taylor singled off Jason Foley (2-3) with one out in the ninth and took third on Austin Barnes' pinch-hit single off Tyler Holton. Gavin Lux popped out, but Ohtani hit a 0-1 sinker to the deepest part of the outfield for what appeared to be a two-run double.
However, the ball bounced into the shrubbery beyond the center-field fence, forcing Barnes to stop at third.
''All I wanted to do was get a base hit — just put the ball in play,'' Ohtani said. ''I was really hoping that ball would get through and it did.''
After Tigers manager A.J. Hinch intentionally walked Will Smith to load the bases, right fielder Wenceel Pérez made a sliding catch to rob Freddie Freeman of a two-run single.
''I don't think I've ever issued an intentional walk to pitch to someone like Freddie, but that's how good Will Smith is against lefties," Hinch said. ''If Wenceel doesn't sell out on that ball, we might have not had a chance in the ninth.''