Shohei Ohtani once again left his mark on MLB by starring in an unforgettable day both on the mound and with the bat. The Japanese phenomenon was a key player in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 13-7 victory over the Washington Nationals, securing the series with a demonstration that combined dominance, versatility and power. In his second appearance as a pitcher this season, Ohtani worked a perfect inning, recording his first two strikeouts as a Dodger and showing remarkable improvement over his recent debut.
Ohtani’s return to the dual role of pitcher and hitter is not only symbolically important, but statistically historic. With a home run (his 26th of the year) and a bases-loaded triple in the same game he pitched, he became the only player in at least 125 seasons to repeat such a performance. “I’ve been able to get back to pitching sooner than I expected,” Ohtani explained. “I feel like I can perform even better than I used to be able to perform.”
Dominant from the mound, devastating at the plate
On the mound, the Japanese pitcher allowed no runs or hits in his one inning of work, using just 18 pitches, 12 of them strikes, to silence the opposing offense. His velocity reached a maximum of 98.8 miles per hour, supported by a solid repertoire that included a sweeper and fastballs with pinpoint accuracy. “The ball was coming out well out of his hand, the sweeper was very effective,” said Dave Martinez, manager of the Nationals. Despite a defensive error that allowed a baserunner, Ohtani remained undeterred and closed out the inning with authority.
His offensive impact was equally impressive. In the seventh inning, he cleared the bases with a triple that drove in three runs, and in the eighth, after an umpire review, he hit a two-run homer. He drove in five runs in total. “To see him go from the mound to the on-deck circle and then to the batter’s box is extraordinary,” said manager Dave Roberts. “He handles it the right way and is unfazed.”
A return that excites the Dodgers
Sunday’s performance reinforces the Dodgers’ gamble on Ohtani as a dual-threat figure. Although he is still in the process of readjusting as a pitcher after surgery on his right elbow, each outing represents another step towards his more complete version. Roberts acknowledged that the plan is gradual, but with each game, the Japanese’s level is on the rise: “We want to see improvements in quality and volume of pitches. It’s going to be a step-by-step process.”
Ohtani was not the only protagonist of the day. Max Muncy also shone with two home runs, including a grand slam, and matched his personal best of seven RBIs. But Ohtani’s combination of pitching and power made it clear that his impact transcends any statistical box. His performance on Sunday is another golden page in a career that already defies the limits of what a baseball player can achieve.
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