Ohtani and Rushing Reflect on Missed ABS Opportunities in Dodgers’ Loss

The Los Angeles Dodgers experienced a frustrating defeat against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with key moments involving missed opportunities to leverage MLB’s Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system. Both star pitcher Shohei Ohtani and catcher Dalton Rushing reflected on instances where challenging borderline pitches could have potentially altered the game’s outcome.

Second-Guessing the Calls

In the bottom of the seventh inning, with the Dodgers holding a 6-1 lead, a series of events unfolded that ultimately contributed to a late-game collapse and a 9-8 loss. Pitcher Shohei Ohtani admitted that he hesitated on challenging a call against leadoff hitter Tyler Callihan, a decision he later felt was a mistake. “Looking at the results, I think it would have been better to,” Ohtani said through a translator.

The play in question involved a 1-0 count where Ohtani threw a low fastball that MLB’s Gameday system indicated was within the strike zone. At that point, both the pitcher and catcher had challenges remaining, but the opportunity was not taken, leading to a walk that allowed the Pirates to begin their rally.

Rushing’s Challenge

Later in the same inning, with two outs and runners on base, Dalton Rushing did initiate an ABS challenge on a pitch to Spencer Horwitz. Rushing sought to overturn a called ball on a splitter that he believed was on the outer edge of the strike zone. However, the review showed the pitch was indeed outside by a narrow margin of two-tenths of an inch, and the call stood. This unsuccessful challenge meant the Dodgers had only one challenge left for the remainder of the game.

Impact on Strategy

The loss of a challenge significantly impacted the Dodgers’ strategy in subsequent crucial situations. When Brandon Lowe came to the plate with a 3-0 count, Rushing declined to challenge two pitches that appeared to be close calls. Ohtani indicated he almost signaled for a challenge on the second pitch, a four-seamer, but Rushing shook his head. The Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, acknowledged that the reduced number of challenges might have caused hesitation.

“You never want to go into the eighth, ninth inning without a challenge from an offensive side, especially in a close game,” Rushing commented after the game. Roberts added, “That might have been something that caused a little bit of a pause [the rest of the inning].”

Ultimately, Lowe hit a two-run double on the 3-0 count, marking the end of Ohtani’s pitching outing and opening the door for the Pirates’ comeback.

Battery Pairings and Familiarity

The game also marked the first time this season that Rushing caught Ohtani’s start, with regular catcher Will Smith sidelined due to injury. Ohtani noted that he shook off more pitches than usual, attributing it to the new battery pairing and their lack of familiarity. This, combined with the ABS decision-making, contributed to the challenging night on the mound.

Roberts, while careful not to place blame, acknowledged the complexities of the ABS system. “Probably in his opinion, it wasn’t worth the challenge. It’s not an exact science,” he stated. He also commended Rushing’s progress with the system throughout the season.

Key facts
| Aspect | Detail |
|—|—|
| Game Outcome | Dodgers lost to Pirates 9-8 |
| Key Missed Opportunities | Ohtani’s non-challenge on Callihan’s walk; Rushing’s non-challenges on Lowe’s pitches |
| Rushing’s Challenge | Unsuccessful review on a pitch to Spencer Horwitz |
| Impact of Missed Challenges | Limited late-game challenge options for the Dodgers |
| Battery Pairing | First start of the season with Rushing catching Ohtani |

The Mariners’ recent offensive surge has been fueled by a more disciplined approach at the plate, focusing on quality at-bats and capitalizing on opportune moments. This strategic shift is crucial as the team navigates a competitive division and aims for a deep postseason run. The discussions around ABS usage highlight the evolving strategies in baseball and how technology is influencing game management and player decisions at the highest level.

Source: nypost.com, https://nypost.com/2026/06/11/sports/shohei-ohtani-dalton-rushing-second-guess-missed-abs-chances/

Datos clave