BASEBALL: Janson Junk outduels Shohei Ohtani as Marlins edge Dodgers

Janson Junk delivered a strong six-inning outing as the visiting Miami Marlins edged the Los Angeles Dodgers, 2-1, on Tuesday night to even their three-game series.

Otto Lopez led Miami’s offense with three hits, while Owen Caissie and Kyle Stowers each drove in a run to help the Marlins improve to 2-3 on their six-game West Coast road trip.

Junk (2-2) was sharp throughout, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out four. He has now produced back-to-back scoreless starts after giving up nine runs (seven earned) across his previous two outings.

Right-hander Tyler Phillips closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning to earn his second save after Miami placed closer Pete Fairbanks on the injured list earlier in the day due to nerve irritation in his pitching hand.

Shohei Ohtani (2-1) took the loss for Los Angeles, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out nine while pitching on five days’ rest for the first time this season. Ohtani now holds a 0.60 ERA.

Without Ohtani in the lineup for the second time in five starts on the mound, the Dodgers’ offense struggled to generate consistent production. Will Smith accounted for three of Los Angeles’ seven hits, as the team was held to one run or fewer for the fourth time this season.

Miami struck first in the second inning when Agustín Ramírez was hit on the left wrist by a pitch, stole second, advanced to third on a Shohei Ohtani throwing error, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Caissie.

With Junk keeping Los Angeles off balance, the Marlins extended their lead to 2-0 in the fifth. Christopher Morel opened the inning with a walk, moved to second on a bunt single by Jakob Marsee, and scored on a single to right field by Stowers.

Morel made his Marlins debut after signing as a free agent in the offseason and returning from the injured list, where he had been sidelined with an oblique strain suffered during batting practice before the season opener.

The Dodgers cut the deficit to 2-1 in the eighth inning. Freddie Freeman singled with one out to put runners at the corners, and Smith followed with an RBI single to right off reliever Michael Petersen. However, Miami’s bullpen held firm in the final frame to secure the win. -Field Level Media/Reuters