Ohtani launches homer No. 54, steals 57th base as NL West-champion Dodgers power by Rockies 11-4

DENVER (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his 54th homer of the season, a towering three-run shot, after stealing his 57th base earlier in the game and the NL West-champion Los Angeles Dodgers powered past the Colorado Rockies 11-4 on Friday night.

The Dodgers designated hitter finished 4 for 5, which also included a pair of singles and a double, and drove in four runs. He now has 24 hits over his last 34 at-bats.

“Shohei, he put on a show,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

Ohtani is making a serious charge at a Triple Crown, leading the NL in homers (54) and RBIs (130). He raised his average to .309 to trail only the Padres' Luis Arráez (.314 after going 3 for 5 against the Diamondbacks on Friday night) in the batting-title race.

With his swipe of second base in the second inning, Ohtani passed Ichiro Suzuki for the most stolen bases in a single season by a Japanese-born player. Ohtani was wearing spikes featuring a picture of his dog, Decoy.

Ohtani's three-run blast in the sixth inning landed in the second deck at Coors Field. It was a no-doubter at the crack of the bat, with the sellout crowd instantly erupting, an early show before the fireworks display that awaited after the game.

“(Ohtani) hits the ball really hard because he swings hard and he’s a strong man,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “He’s a really unbelievable talent.”

His 408 total bases this season are second-most in franchise history. Babe Herman set the record of 416 in 1930.

The Dodgers are now 38-12 this season when Ohtani goes yard.

“He's locked in,” teammate Chris Taylor said. “He's definitely in a zone right now. He's feeling it. We're all just watching him continue to have a good year and he's finishing it strong."

Teoscar Hernández got things started for Los Angeles with a two-run homer in the first. Andy Pages also homered for the Dodgers, who arrived in town fresh off clinching their third straight division title Thursday. The Dodgers moved two games up on the Philadelphia Phillies for the top seed in the National League.

Ben Casparius (2-0) picked up the win for Los Angeles, going 4 1/3 innings, in a game where the Dodgers started reliever Ryan Brasier.

Cal Quantrill (8-11) struggled against the Dodgers' potent lineup, allowing six runs and two homers over 3 1/3 innings.

At 61-99, the Rockies need to win their final two games to avoid back-to-back 100-loss seasons.

A positive for Colorado: Outfielder Brenton Doyle stole his 30th base of the season Friday. That's the most by a Colorado player since Charlie Blackmon had 43 in 2015.

It was a fortunate coincidence the second-base bag needed to be replaced as Blackmon stepped up to the plate in the first inning. The switch allowed his walk-up song “Your Love” by The Outfield to play a little bit longer. The designated hitter/outfielder known for his bushy beard announced Monday he's retiring after 14 seasons — all with the Rockies.

The organization will honor him before Sunday's season finale. Blackmon had a single and two walks Friday.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Dodgers: 1B Freddie Freeman didn’t make the trip to Colorado so he could rest a sore ankle. Freeman was on crutches and in a walking boot after leaving Thursday's game. The Dodgers also left SS Miguel Rojas at home due to a torn adductor.

UP NEXT

The Dodgers will send righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-2, 2.96 ERA) to the mound Saturday night. The Rockies counter with righty Antonio Senzatela (0-0, 3.38).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Colorado Rockies' Charlie Blackmon scores on a triple hit by Ezequiel Tovar off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Ryan Brasier in the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani stretches before the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Gavin Lux, left, congratulates Teoscar Hernández as he crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Cal Quantrill in the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández gestures to the bullpen as he circles the bases after hitting a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Cal Quantrill in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, left, gestures as he circles the bases after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Anthony Molina in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani heads up the first base line after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Anthony Molina in the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani steals second base in the second inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Decoy, the dog of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani, adorns the spike of Ohtani as he steps on first base after hitting an RBI single off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Cal Quantrill in the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani steals second base in the second inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani singles off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Anthony Molina in the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani tosses his bat as he heads up the first base line after hitting a three-run home urn off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Anthony Molina in the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani gestures to the bullpen as he circles the bases after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Anthony Molina in the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was ejected Friday night during an 8-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers after arguing a called third strike on Francisco Alvarez.

New York trailed 5-2 in the fourth inning but was threatening with two outs after Jesse Winker was hit by a pitch and J.D. Martinez walked. That brought up Alvarez, who fouled off four straight pitches before getting called out on strikes. The full-count pitch he took from Frankie Montas appeared to be a tad low.

Alvarez was on his way to first base when plate umpire Ramon De Jesus called him out. Alvarez hopped up and down in protest, and Mendoza came out of the dugout to argue as well, resulting in his ejection.

“They have a tough job, and I know they're working really hard,” Mendoza said about the umpires. “I didn't agree with it. I thought he didn't have a good game behind the plate. Not only was that call, there were some other calls that I wasn't happy with. But, again, I know they're trying, and we've got to move on.”

Mendoza's ejection came just a few minutes after the Atlanta Braves completed a 3-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals. The Mets, Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks are competing for the NL's final two wild-card playoff spots.

The Mets and Braves have 87-71 records. The Diamondbacks fell to 88-72 with a 5-3 loss to the San Diego Padres on Friday.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez (4) reacts after striking out during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez (4) reacts after striking out during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, right, yells to umpire Ramon De Jesus, second from right, after being ejected during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, right, yells at umpire Ramon De Jesus (18) after being ejected during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)