In another night for the history books, Shohei Ohtani became the first Major League Baseball player to score 100 runs before August since Frank Thomas in 1994, according to journalist Francys Romero. The feat came during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 6-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds and reinforces the offensive dominance the Japanese has had throughout the season.
Ohtani finished the game with a line of 3-1, one run scored, two RBIs and two walks. With this performance, the current National League MVP raises his average to .276, adds 38 home runs, 73 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. He also maintains an OBP of .381, confirming his status as one of the most complete players in MLB today.
Shohei Ohtani equals Frank Thomas: 100-run record before August
Since Frank Thomas achieved this mark in 1994, no other player had reached 100 runs scored in the month of August: “Shohei Ohtani is the first player since Frank Thomas in 1994 to have 100 or more runs scored before August,” shared Francys Romero on social media. The comparison is not a minor one because Thomas was a two-time MVP, five-time All-Star and Hall of Famer since 2014.
Joining a name like “The Big Hurt” reinforces Ohtani’s legacy; what makes the mark even more impressive is that the Japanese player achieves it in a completely different competitive environment, with greater parity between teams and specialization in pitching.
Ohtani’s return to the mound and Dodgers candidates for back-to-back titles
Although he is still recovering from surgery, Ohtani has returned to the mound in partial form and has a 1.50 ERA in six starts, with just 12 innings pitched. The expectation is that he will be fully available for the starting rotation during the playoffs, a luxury reinforcement for the Dodgers who are seeking their second consecutive World Series title.
Meanwhile, the Angels’ offense remains among the best in the league, largely thanks to the constant contribution of the Japanese. Ohtani and the Dodgers will return to the diamond on Tuesday against the Reds with Tyler Glasnow as the starter with a 1-1 record and 2.75 ERA.
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