Ohtani struck out eight in four innings on the mound and hit a two-run home run — his 1,000th MLB hit. But the Dodgers’ bullpen couldn’t hold the lead.

Shohei Ohtani clobbered his 39th home run for his 1,000th career hit and also struck out eight in his best start this season -- but what should have been a banner day for the Dodgers instead turned into a 5-3 defeat to the Cardinals.

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.