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Janson Junk's Six Scoreless Innings Lift Miami Over LA

4/29/2026

25 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Junk Ends Skid

Janson Junk pitched six scoreless innings as Miami beat Los Angeles 2–1 on April 29, 2026, snapping Miami’s skid.
He allowed three hits, one walk and struck out four, his first six-inning shutout since July.
Shohei Ohtani, on five days’ rest, gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits and struck out nine.

Summary

Ohtani Skips DH

Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani will pitch only, skipping the DH slot to protect his health with five days’ rest.
Dalton Rushing moved to leadoff and took DH duties, his first DH appearance this year, after the team played 12 straight games.
Roberts called the plan experimental and said the Tuesday day game and Wednesday start forced a compromise that favors Ohtani’s rest and continuous workload monitoring all season.

History

Historical Context

In 1973 the American League instituted the designated hitter, eliminating the routine use of pinch hitters to replace pitchers in the ninth inning. The change let teams keep a strong bat in the lineup without sacrificing a pitcher, reshaping roster construction. Today Dodgers manager Dave Roberts uses that flexibility to rest Shohei Ohtani by benching him from the DH slot.

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Junk Ends Skid

Janson Junk pitched six scoreless innings as Miami beat Los Angeles 2–1 on April 29, 2026, snapping Miami’s skid.
He allowed three hits, one walk and struck out four, his first six-inning shutout since July.
Shohei Ohtani, on five days’ rest, gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits and struck out nine.

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