It was supposed to be a day of celebration. The Los Angeles Dodgers were honored at the White House in front of flashing cameras, smiling teammates, and a proud president. But just hours after soaking up the spotlight, reality struck hard.
In a twist only baseball could deliver, the Dodgers lost on Trump Day, dropping a 6-4 heartbreaker to the Washington Nationals on Monday night in D.C. Despite a heroic performance by Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgersโ red-hot start to the season took another hitโand with it, their place atop the MLB standings.
From champagne handshakes to missed chances on the field, it was a tale of two very different Mondays for the reigning World Series champions.
Ohtani Sizzles, Dodgers Stumble
Shohei Ohtani put on a one-man show. He homered, tripled, singled, walked, and drove in two runs. He finished the night 3-for-4, delivering fireworks on the same day he shook hands with the president.
But even that wasnโt enough.
James Woodโs two-run homer in the seventh off reliever Anthony Banda gave Washington the lead for good. Keibert Ruiz followed with an RBI double that proved to be the dagger.
Mookie Betts and Will Smith tried to rally the Dodgers in the eighth with run-scoring singles, trimming the deficit to 6-4. But Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan slammed the door, getting the final five outs and forcing Betts into a game-ending grounder with two runners on.
Ohtaniโs explosive bat kept the game alive, but the rest of the lineup couldnโt follow through.
From 8-0 to 9-3: The Skid Begins
A week ago, the Dodgers were flying high with a perfect 8-0 start and dreams of another World Series run dancing in their heads. Now, after dropping three of their last four, the record stands at 9-3โand suddenly, the invincibility is gone.
The team that steamrolled its first week now finds itself slipping from the top spot in the MLB, and questions about consistency are creeping in.
Dustin May, making his second start, pitched a decent six innings, allowing three runs (one earned) and three hits. But the bullpen couldnโt hold.
It was a sour end to a day that started with presidential praise and national attention.
Dodgers Lose on Trump Day โ A White House Celebration Turns Bittersweet
Before the game, the Dodgers were the guests of honor at the White House. The ceremony was everything youโd expect: flashbulbs, speeches, jokes, and plenty of praise from the president.
He welcomed the team with compliments, calling them talented, good-looking, and unstoppable. He called out Ohtani as baseballโs first 50-home run, 50-stolen base player. And he celebrated Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto and praised NLCS MVP Tommy Edman.
The president even poked fun at the Red Sox for letting go of Mookie Betts, who finally attended a White House celebration after skipping one during the first term.
Betts, now the only Black player returning from last yearโs title team, said he felt it was important to be with his teamโeven if the choice was complicated.
Betts Breaks Silence on Decision
Speaking to reporters ahead of the visit, Mookie Betts said he had some regrets about skipping the 2019 White House event when he played for Boston. Back then, he sat out in silent protest. This time, he decided to show up.
Nobody else on the team had to weigh the same decision, Betts admitted. But for him, the team bond was worth it.
He described the visit as a privilege, not a political statement.
Manager Dave Roberts echoed that sentiment, saying the team never even discussed skipping the event. It was tradition. And every player wanted to go.
Politics and Baseball Collide
The timing of the ceremony raised eyebrows. The market was crashing. Trade tensions were rising. And the Department of Defense had just restored a webpage honoring Jackie Robinsonโdays after the administration took down content highlighting minority military heroes.
None of that was mentioned during the event.
Instead, the president praised old friend George Steinbrenner, joked about Yankees managers, and congratulated Roberts on not being fired after two lossesโa nod to Steinbrennerโs legendary trigger finger.
The Dodgers presented the president with a jersey featuring the number 47. He grinned and hinted theyโd be back next year, saying the seasonโs strong start made him confident.
But just hours later, the Nationals had other plans.
Nationals Heat Up, Dodgers Cool Down
Washington isnโt supposed to be a playoff threat this season, but donโt tell them that. Theyโve now won three straight, and Mondayโs win was their most impressive.
MacKenzie Gore pitched six strong innings, striking out seven. James Wood delivered the go-ahead blast. The bullpen held firm. And the Nationals stunned the champions on their biggest stage.
Nathaniel Lowe also chipped in with an RBI single, giving the Nats a 3-2 lead after Ohtaniโs homer tied the game. From there, they never trailed again.
For a team with low expectations, this was a major statement.
Whatโs Next for the Dodgers?
After a star-studded start to the week, the Dodgers now have to regroup.
Theyโll play two more games in Washington before heading home. And theyโll need to find answersโfast.
The lineup has cooled, the bullpen is inconsistent, and despite Ohtaniโs brilliance, the rest of the roster isnโt firing on all cylinders.
The good news? Itโs early. But in a season where expectations are sky-high, every game matters.
Ohtani Keeps Dominating
Even in a loss, Shohei Ohtani continues to make history.
His home run in the third inning was his fourth in 12 games. Heโs batting over .400, racking up RBIs, and electrifying fans every night.
He also recorded his first triple of the season, narrowly missing an inside-the-park home run after a blast to right-center.
Fans in D.C. roared with every at-bat. Ohtaniโs star power is unmatched. Heโs living up to the hypeโand then some.
If the Dodgers are going to bounce back, itโs going to start with him.
Dodgers Lose on Trump Day, But Season Is Far From Over
The Dodgers lose on Trump Day in a game that had all the drama, celebrity, and unexpected twists youโd expect from a team that spent the morning in the White House and the evening under the lights.
They were celebrated like royalty. Then beaten like mortals.
It was a reminder that no matter how bright the spotlight, no matter how stacked the roster, baseball is a game of inchesโand humbling losses.
For Los Angeles, the journey continues. But Monday will be remembered for more than the ceremony. It was the day baseball reminded everyone that in this game, anything can happen.
