Shohei Ohtani Closing in on Home Run Record with LA Dodgers

LA Dodgers Shohei Otani./Getty Images Korea

[마이데일리 = 심혜진 기자] Shohei Ohtani (29, LA Dodgers) is expected to break the home run record by a Japanese batter as a member of the Dodgers.

Ohtani started as the number 2 designated hitter in the 2024 Major League Baseball game against the Chicago Cubs held at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA on the 9th (Korea time) and recorded 3 hits (1 home run) in 5 at- bat and 1 strike out.

As a result, Ohtani continued his multi-hit streak in five consecutive games since recording 2 hits in 4 at-bats, 1 home run, and 1 RBI against the San Francisco Giants on the 4th. He recorded a home run in just three games, bringing his season batting average to 0.345.

Ohtani, who completed his multi-hit streak with doubles in the first and sixth innings, hit an even bigger hit in his third at-bat in the seventh inning. It was a home run. Ohtani, who came to bat with two outs, didn’t miss the 85.6 mph (about 137 km) slider that came up the middle of the fourth pitch from new pitcher Jackson. The hit ball flew at a speed of 106.9 miles (172 km) and passed over the left fence. This was the third bow of the season with a distance of 362 feet (110 m). Otani’s home run gave the Dodgers one more run, 4-2.

With this home run, Otani left Hideki Matsui with only one more home run (175) among Japanese MLB players.

LA Dodgers Shohei Otani./Getty Images Korea

Sarah Reims, a reporter for MLB.com, wrote about the home run records of Japanese batters who hit home runs for the Dodgers on her social media account.

Kazuhisa Ishii and Kenta Maeda each recorded one home run, and Ohtani was next with three home runs. Hideo Nomo hit four home runs and current Dodgers head coach Dave Roberts hit seven home runs.

Director Roberts has a Japanese mother and was born in Okinawa, Japan.

Reporter Sara Reims raised expectations, saying, “Ohtani will soon break his coach’s record.”

Shohei Otani at the LA Dodgers induction ceremony./Getty Images Korea

Reporter Shim Hye-jin cherub0327@mydaily.co.kr
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