Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has tied a historic gfranchise record by homering in five straight games, a feat last accomplished within the organization by six legendary players. His latest blast came on Wednesday, propelling the Dodgers to a thrilling 4-3 walk-off victory against the Minnesota Twins. While Ohtani must be preparing to fully be a starting pitcher for the team, his batting is just heating up on this second half of the season.
Historic streak & legacy for Ohtani
By launching a 441-foot solo homer off Twins starter Chris Paddack in the first inning, Ohtani extended his streak to five consecutive games with a home run, joining Dodgers greats like Max Muncy, Joc Pederson, Adrián González, Matt Kemp, Shawn Green and Roy Campanella. The last MLB player to achieve this mark was Aaron Judge, who did so in September 2024.
This achievement emphasizes Ohtani’s dominance: with 37 home runs, he leads the National League, having surpassed Eugenio Suárez and staying just behind MLB leader Cal Raleigh with 39.
Walk-off win for Shohei
Ohtani didn’t just tee off; he also sparked a dramatic finish. After his leadoff blast, the game remained tight. Dodgers ace Tyler Glasnow nothced a season-high 12 strikeouts over seven stellar innings. But in the ninth, the Dodgers trailed until Freddie Freeman deliveres a walk-off, two-run single, bringing Ohtani home after the first inning homer set the tone.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts credited Ohtani’s brand-swing approach and consistency for keeping the momentum alive, “He continues to use the big part of the field and hit breaking balls, hit fastballs…”. As the Dodgers gear up for a critical road trip beginning in Boston, all eyes will be on Ohtani’s bid to extend the streak. Manager Roberts hinted at Fenway’s short left-field porch being prime real estate for continuing the hot streak. If he does, Shohei Ohtani won’t just be tying records, he’ll be making history.
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