Shohei Ohtani The Japanese superstar hit a two-out grand slam in the ninth inning for his 40th home run, which came after Steal 40th basehelping the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 on Friday night.
Quick Reading
- Shohei Ohtani became the fastest player in MLB history to join the 40-40 club when he hit a bases-loaded home run in the ninth inning, his 40th home run, and stole his 40th base earlier in the game.
- Shohei Ohtani reached the milestone in just 126 games, surpassing the record set by Alfonso Soriano in 2006.
- The grand slam broke a 3-3 tie and led the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
- Ohtani is the first Dodgers player to reach the 40-40 mark and only the sixth player in MLB history to accomplish the feat.
- The home run received a standing ovation from the crowd, and Ohtani’s teammates celebrated by dousing him with water on the field.
- Ohtani said his primary goal remains winning games and helping the Dodgers win the World Series.
The Associated Press has this story:
Shohei Ohtani hit a bases-loaded home run in the ninth inning, becoming the fastest player in MLB history to join the 9-40 club
Newslooks- LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Shohei Ohtani The Japanese superstar hit a two-out grand slam in the ninth inning for his 40th home run, which came after Steal 40th basehelping the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 on Friday night.
Ohtani achieved the feat in his 126th game and 129th with the Dodgers, the fastest streak in major league history, and is only the sixth player in history to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season. He is also the first Dodgers player to do so.
“It’s really more about winning,” Ohtani said through a translator. “Obviously records are part of the process, but I think the most important thing is winning.”
He broke the previous record set by Alfonso Soriano in the 2006 game with the Washington Nationals at 148.
“It was like a fairy tale — 40-40 on the same night,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I don’t know if it’s ever happened before, and then he hits it with a grand slam. He’s definitely known for drama, and it’s something I’ll always remember.”
Ohtani’s 389-foot shot broke a 3-3 tie. R midfielder Jose Siri chased the ball and it bounced back onto the court. Siri then threw the ball into the stands, so Ohtani didn’t get his souvenir, according to Will Ayton, Ohtani’s translator.
When Shohei Ohtani made history, Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller was watching the game on TV in the locker room.
“I kind of guessed it,” he said. “I was like, how cool would it be to hit a walk-off grand slam at 40-40? He’s a really special player.”
Ohtani bowed out to a standing ovation from the 45,556 fans, with teammates Miguel Rojas and Teoscar Hernández drenching him with water on the court.
“It means a lot to me to be able to do this in front of my home crowd,” Ohtani said.
Ohtani joins Soriano, Ronald Acuna, Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds and Jose Canseco in the 40-40 club. Acuna was a member of the club last season when he hit 41 home runs and stole 73 bases.
Shohei Ohtani, who had never made the playoffs in six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, now found himself in a title race with the NL West-leading Dodgers.
“My first goal is to make the playoffs and win a World Series,” he said. “It’s all part of the process, regardless of my record.”
In the fourth inning, Shohei Ohtani hit an infield single against Tyler Alexander and stole a base to second on a Freddie Freeman hit.
His 12 successful stolen bases in the month without being caught are the most by a Dodgers player in a month since Rafael Furcal stole 12 bases 12 times in January and February of 2007.
“I know he’s taking great care of his legs so he can do that and be a dynamic player,” Roberts said. “He’s studying pitchers and he’s jumping well. He’s stealing bases better. He’s very efficient.”
Roberts noted that earlier this season when the Dodgers faced the Angels, Ohtani was hesitant in his baserunning and his stolen base rate was low.
“He’s an excellent base stealer with a high success rate,” the manager said. “I’m sure there will be more great performances to come.”
New York Yankees star Aaron Judge leads the majors with 49 home runs. He is expected to win the American League Most Valuable Player title, and Shohei Ohtani is expected to win the same honor in the National League.
“I just don’t see anybody better, and obviously Judge is under consideration, but, I’m still going to go with Shohei,” Roberts said.
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