'How could this happen?' Even with two home runs from Ohtani, a former KBO pitcher collapses... Could the LAD's six-game losing streak be shocking?

*This content was translated by AI.

Despite Shohei Ohtani's explosive multi-home run performance, the LA Dodgers fell into a six-game losing streak.

On the 6th (Korean time), the Dodgers suffered a 7-6 defeat in an away game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA, during the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season.

With this loss, the Dodgers extended their losing streak to six games, finishing with 69 wins and 46 losses. They remain in first place in the National League West Division. Meanwhile, the Cubs recorded 66 wins and 49 losses, securing second place in the same league's Central Division. They trail first-place Milwaukee Brewers by five games.

For this game, the Dodgers set their starting lineup as follows: Shohei Ohtani (designated hitter), Andy Pages (center fielder), Freddie Freeman (first baseman), Tommy Edman (left fielder), Kyle Tucker (right fielder), Mookie Betts (shortstop), Max Muncy (third baseman), Miguel Rojas (second baseman), and Pedroia Hunter (catcher). The starting pitcher was left-handed Eric Lauer, who previously played for the KIA Tigers.

In response, the Cubs arranged their starting lineup as follows: Pete Crow-Armstrong (designated hitter), Seiya Suzuki (right fielder), Alex Bregman (third baseman), Carson Kelly (catcher), Michael Busch (first baseman), Nico Hoerner (second baseman), Ian Happ (left fielder), Dansby Swanson (shortstop), and Tyrone Taylor (center fielder). Their starting pitcher was Japanese left-hander Sho Imanaga.

In the top of the first inning, the Dodgers took early control when leadoff batter Ohtani hit a solo home run. The Cubs responded immediately in the bottom of the first, as leadoff batter Crow-Armstrong targeted the first pitch and launched a solo shot over the center-field wall. The score was tied 1-1. This marked Ohtani's 25th home run of the season.

The Cubs turned the tide in the bottom of the second inning. Leadoff batter Hoerner reached base on an infield single, and after one out, Swanson drove him home with a two-run double down the left-field line. Then, with two outs, Crow-Armstrong hit another two-run double to right field, extending the lead to 3-1.

The Cubs added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to solidify their advantage. With two outs, Taylor singled to left field, and Crow-Armstrong—who had previously hit a home run and a two-run double—launched a two-run homer over the fence. Following up with Suzuki's two-run single to left field and Bregman's RBI single to left field, the Cubs extended their lead to 6-1. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Busch reached on a ground ball to center field, and Hoerner followed with an RBI double down the left-field line, pushing the score to 7-1.

Still, the Dodgers remained the Dodgers. They mounted a five-run rally in the top of the eighth inning, refusing to give up easily. With one out, Tucker and Betts hit consecutive singles to load the bases. Muncy then launched a three-run homer over the fence, cutting the deficit to 7-4. Rojas later reached on a single to left-center field, and with two outs, Ohtani hit a two-run shot, narrowing the gap to 7-6. This was Ohtani's 26th home run of the season. However, no further comeback occurred as the Dodgers were retired in order in the top of the ninth inning, and the game ultimately ended with a one-run victory for the Cubs.

Ohtani contributed significantly with two home runs and a double to center field in the fifth inning, finishing 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored. After this game, Ohtani's season batting statistics stand at: 109 games played, .297 batting average (404 at-bats, 120 hits), 26 home runs, 22 doubles, 2 triples, 70 RBIs, 73 runs scored, 67 walks, 110 strikeouts, 6 stolen bases (2 failed attempts), .399 on-base percentage, .554 slugging percentage, and an OPS of 0.953. Dodgers starter Lauer lasted four innings (95 pitches total), allowing 11 hits, striking out six batters, and surrendering six earned runs, taking the loss. His season record now stands at 6 wins and 6 losses with a 4.89 ERA.

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*This content was translated by AI.