The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped the second game of their three-game set against the Houston Astros, falling 2-1 and leveling the series at one game apiece. It was a frustrating outing for a team that continues to struggle offensively when their two-way star, Shohei Ohtani, takes the mound without stepping into the batter's box.

Ohtani delivered a solid performance on the hill, tossing seven innings for the first time in nearly three years. He struck out eight batters and allowed just two runs, both on solo home runs. However, the Dodgers' bats went cold yet again, managing only two runs across 18 innings in Ohtani's last three starts where he has exclusively pitched.

The Astros struck first in the bottom of the second inning when Christian Walker launched a high fly ball over the Crawford Boxes. They doubled their lead an inning later, as nine-hole hitter Braden Shewmake sneaked a solo shot over the left-field fence. Houston's early offense proved to be enough against a Dodgers lineup that couldn't find its rhythm.

Los Angeles mustered just six hits but still created several scoring opportunities. They left two runners on base with two outs in the top of the first and couldn't capitalize with the bases loaded in the fourth inning. The bats finally came alive in the eighth, when Kyle Tucker drove in Dalton Rushing with an RBI single after Rushing led off the frame with a double. That hit snapped a stretch of 10 consecutive Dodgers retired by Astros pitching.

But the ninth inning brought more frustration, as LA failed to mount a rally and dropped their second straight series opener. The rubber match on Wednesday features Tyler Glasnow on the mound for the Dodgers against Lance McCullers Jr. for Houston. A win would give Los Angeles their first series victory since taking two of three from the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium last month—a much-needed boost for a team looking to find its groove.

First pitch for the series finale is set for 11:10 a.m. PT, giving fans a day game to close out what has been a tightly contested battle between two powerhouse clubs.