Shohei Ohtani matches Willie Mays’ historic home run and triple feat
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani continues to impress, hitting his 28th home run of the season in a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Ohtani’s remarkable feat makes him the first player since the legendary Willie Mays to hit 28 home runs and have six triples in the team’s first 80 games of a season. Mays achieved this milestone back in 1954.
The pivotal moment came in the top of the seventh inning when Ohtani, with the Dodgers leading 2-1, crushed a hanging breaking ball from Rockies’ reliever Tyler Kinley. The ball sailed 418 feet into the Dodgers’ bullpen, showcasing Ohtani’s power and skill at the plate.
With this home run, Ohtani solidified his position as a key player for the Dodgers this season. In addition to his impressive home run tally, Ohtani boasts a .291 batting average, 52 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in the first 80 games.
Ohtani’s 28 home runs place him in a tie for second place in the league alongside Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners leads Major League Baseball with 32 home runs. Ohtani’s exceptional performance extends beyond his hitting abilities, as he has also started pitching for the team.
Making his pitching debut on June 16 against the San Diego Padres, Ohtani pitched one inning and allowed one run on two hits. His second outing against the Washington Nationals on June 22 saw him pitch a scoreless inning and strike out two batters. Despite his pitching potential, the Dodgers are cautious about overworking Ohtani and have kept his appearances short to preserve his arm strength.
Looking ahead, Ohtani’s next scheduled start is against the Kansas City Royals, with the game set for Saturday at 4:10 p.m. ET. The Dodgers will face the Royals in a three-game series at Dodger Stadium, starting Friday at 8:10 p.m. ET.
As Ohtani continues to shine on the field, his versatility as both a hitter and pitcher makes him a valuable asset for the Dodgers. Fans can expect more impressive performances from this multi-talented player as the season progresses.
