Shohei Ohtani’s first home run for the Dodgers came against Los Angeles’ biggest rival.
The two-time MVP hit his first long ball in his new home in the seventh inning of Wednesday night’s game against the Giants, extending the Dodgers’ lead in a close ball game that the Dodgers won 5-4.
Ohtani didn’t get off to the best start through the team’s first eight games, going 8-for-33 with a .631 OPS and just three extra-base hits.
But with one hit already under his belt, Ohtani was ready for more as the Dodgers led 4-3 in the seventh inning against left-handed relief pitcher Taylor Rodgers.
The two-way Japanese superstar hit a 3-1 ball to the outside corner over the right-center field wall to put the Dodgers up by two points.
The voice of Sportsnet LA play-by-play voice Joe Davis added to the excitement as the ball traveled 430 feet at 165.6 miles per hour.
“Oh, my God, Shohei Ohtani’s first home run for the Dodgers!” Davis said, surprised by the sound of the explosion.
After a brief hush from Orel Hershiser, the two let the game breathe as the 52,746 enthusiastic fans at Dodger Stadium soaked up the moment.
The fans with the ball were particularly excited as a woman wearing a Dodgers bucket cap held the ball in her right hand and held it up triumphantly as nearby fans celebrated.
After Ohtani trotted around the bases, he headed to the dugout and was greeted by teammate Teoscar Hernandez. He threw a handful of sunflower seeds in Ohtani’s face.
This home run decided the game, and the Dodgers won for the second consecutive year and third time in a one-run battle against the Giants.
