LA Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani failed to add a home run and a stolen base, but he hit a double and set a new club record.
Ohtani started as the first designated hitter at a home game against the San Diego Padres in the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2024 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, and recorded one hit, one walk and one run from three times at bat. He maintained his batting average of 0.301 for this season.
With his 35th double this season, Ohtani’s number of extra-base hits in this season has reached 95, including doubles, triples (seven) and home runs (53). Ohtani broke the record for the most extra-base hits in a single season. According to Sarah Reims, a record expert on the official Major League website MLB.com , the previous record of extra-base hits in a single season was 94 by Babe Herman in 1930.
In the game, the Dodgers lost to the San Diego Padres 2-4. Starting pitcher Landon Nyack became the losing pitcher with five hits (one homer) and one walk, four strikeouts and four runs during four innings, and his team ended up scoring two runs. The San Diego Padres, which won the first three consecutive away games against the Dodgers, confirmed its advance to the postseason with the game. 안전놀이터
The home team Dodgers formed the lineup in the order of Ohtani (designated hitter), Mookie Betts (right fielder), Freddie Freeman (first baseman), Teoscar Hernandez (left fielder), Max Muncy (third baseman), Will Smith (catcher), Tommy Edman (center fielder), Gavin Lux (second baseman) and Miguel Rojas (striker).
San Diego, an away team with Michael King as its starter, formed a lineup in the order of Luis Arraez (designated hitter), Fernando Tatis Jr. (right fielder), Jurickson Profar (left fielder), Manny Machado (third baseman), Jackson Merrill (center fielder), Xander Bogaerts (striker), Jake Cronenworth (second baseman), Donovan Solano (first baseman), and Kyle Higashioka (catcher).
Ohtani, who has elevated batting performance by posting hits in six consecutive games in recent weeks, showed off his presence from his first at bat. He came out as the first batter in the bottom of the first inning and pulled King’s first pitch fastball to make a long hit. The ball that fell into the outfield crossed the fence with a one-bound drive, making it an acknowledged double. On top of that, Ohtani even scored when shortstop Bogaerts made a throwing error when Betts grounded out.
Ohtani also succeeded in getting on base at his second at-bat. Ohtani, who appeared on the first and second bases with two outs in the bottom of the second inning, was at a disadvantage due to fouls on the second and third pitches, but held back on to the fourth and fifth pitches before picking up the sixth pitches to take the first base. However, he failed to make it to the first base as his follow-up hitter Betts turned to strikeout.
Ohtani, who faced his third at-bat with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning, swallowed his regret by his opponent’s good defense. The ball headed toward left field, and Profar snatched the ball with a diving catch, stopping Ohtani from getting on base.
Ohtani struck out swinging with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. It was Ohtani’s last at-bat on the day.
Despite Ohtani’s multiple on-base hits, the Dodgers hardly scored a point. After scoring the first run in the bottom of the first inning, Cronenworth’s two-run shot in the top of the second inning and Bogaerts and Cronenworth’s RBI single in the top of the fourth inning brought San Diego to 1-4, and Kieke Hernandez’s RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning saved a point.
However, an unexpected situation occurred at the first and second bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Machado, a third baseman who was defending forward when Rojas grounded out, stepped on the third base and sprayed the ball to the second base, and Cronenworth, a second baseman, threw to the first base to complete the triple shot. It was a moment of stark contrast between the joys and sorrows of the two teams.
Ohtani, who was waiting at the waiting at-bat, was able to meet San Diego once more, but the game ended as it was with triplets.