The Los Angeles Dodgers ended their latest losing streak despite a strong showing from Shohei Ohtani, falling to the Baltimore Orioles in a 9-1 defeat on Monday night. The loss marked the Dodgers’ first skid since May as Baltimore improved to 37-42 on the season.

Los Angeles starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan struggled early, surrendering six runs over 3 1⁄3 innings. Sheehan loaded the bases in the third inning and saw the Orioles take the lead on a soft single by Samuel Basallo that slipped between Freddie Freeman and right fielder Kyle Tucker. Colton Cowser followed with a two-out single that extended Baltimore’s advantage. Sheehan managed to escape further damage by striking out two batters and inducing a pop fly, but the inning taxed his pitch count and momentum.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized the need for sharper in-game adjustments after the performance. “We’ve got to have a better approach or plan with respect to the game situation,” Roberts said prior to the contest. He noted that while results will vary, missing the right approach at critical moments has hindered the team's efforts.

Sheehan’s slider, typically effective with an approximate 43% chase rate, saw its effectiveness plummet to 18% against the Orioles. His difficulty keeping the slider in the strike zone allowed Baltimore hitters to focus on his fastball, leading to two home runs on the pitch—one by Taylor Ward in the second inning and another by Cowser in the third.

On offense, the Dodgers scored a run in the first inning with Max Muncy driving in Ohtani, who had reached base on a walk and advanced on a Freeman single. Ohtani’s run came on a throwing error by Basallo, whose throw ricocheted off his catcher's gear, allowing Ohtani to score.

Baltimore extended its lead with runs scored in four consecutive innings and added four more in the seventh. Dodgers reliever Jonathan Hernández issued an intentional walk to Gunnar Henderson, who had two hits, before conceding a three-run homer to Pete Alonso on a sinker down the middle of the plate. Later, Blaze Alexander contributed a two-run homer in the eighth. Miguel Rojas, typically an infielder, closed out the ninth with a scoreless inning, one of three innings the Dodgers managed to keep the Orioles off the board.

In injury news, catcher Will Smith will remain with the team but will not travel for upcoming series against the Minnesota Twins and San Diego Padres as he continues to recover. Teoscar Hernández is scheduled for a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, aiming to rejoin the Dodgers for their final June series against the Oakland Athletics. Reliever Blake Treinen received an encouraging MRI report; his right elbow inflammation showed no structural damage, and Roberts expects Treinen could return within two weeks.

As the Dodgers look to regroup following the setback, the return of key players and improved execution on the mound will be critical in their pursuit of sustained success down the stretch.