Dodgers have been cautious and methodical with Ohtani’s workload as a pitcher, seeing anything beyond five innings in a regular-season start as unnecessary.

With the count being 1-1, Ohtani timed Cardinals pitcher Kyle Leahy 's 92 miles-per-hour sinker before winding his bat up to launch the ball 440 feet to center field into the stands to help gain Los Angeles' first lead of the game, 2-1.