Shohei Ohtani tied a Los Angeles Dodgers franchise report as he homered for the fifth consecutive sport on Wednesday.
The 2-way star, who has just lately returned to enjoying either side of the ball, helped encourage his group to their first collection win for the reason that 2025 MLB All-Star break, in opposition to the Minnesota Twins.
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Ohtani, who leads the Nationwide League with 37 residence runs, went deep off Minnesota starter Chris Paddack within the first inning of a 4-3 walk-off victory.
The final Main League star to homer in 5 straight video games was Aaron Choose for the New York Yankees, from September 21-26 final yr.
‘Showtime’ has develop into the primary to do it for the Dodgers since Max Muncy in 2019.
Solely 5 others have hit homers in 5 straight for the group — Joc Pederson in 2015, Adrian Gonzalez in 2014-15, Matt Kemp in 2010, Shawn Inexperienced in 2001 and Roy Campanella in 1950.
The Main League report for consecutive video games with a house run is eight.
It’s shared by Dale Lengthy (1956), Don Mattingly (1987) and Ken Griffey Jr. (1993).
Ohtani, whose $700 million contract has been criticized by Travis Kelce, will hope to affix them because the Dodgers head to Fenway Park for a three-game collection in opposition to the Boston Crimson Sox this weekend.
Supervisor Dave Roberts was requested if his left-handed star can tie that report after the win in opposition to Minnesota.
“I do not know that reply,” he stated.
“I do know that if he has the identical method that he is had the final week, that Inexperienced Monster may be very brief. So any fly ball that he hits will probably be a homer.
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“He is simply bought to proceed to have that very same method after we go to Boston, after which we’ll see what occurs.”
Whereas he could have the house run report in his sights, Ohtani already ended a 70-year MLB drought in opposition to the Twins.
The Japanese star scored the game-winning run within the ninth inning after getting deliberately walked — and made historical past within the course of.
“Intentional walks turned an official MLB statistic 70 years in the past, in 1955,” OptaSTATS posted on X.
“Since then, just one participant has been deliberately walked together with his group an out away from dropping and no person in scoring place — after which come round to attain the successful run: Shohei Ohtani.”
Earlier than he was walked by Twins reliever Griffin Jax, Tommy Edman and Michael Conforto every started the ninth inning with a lineout.
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With LA an out away from dropping their second consecutive collection, Mookie Betts then reached first base with successful, which allowed Ohtani to step as much as the plate, down 3-2.
Jax gave him a free move, after which walked Esteury Ruiz to load up the bases.
Ohtani, the 2024 MVP, then raced residence on Freddie Freeman’s walk-off hit for the deciding margin.
It was the Dodgers’ eighth walk-off win of the season, and it takes their report to 60-43.
After making 70-year MLB historical past in opposition to the Twins, all eyes will probably be on Ohtani as he chases down the house run report in Boston.