Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani took to the field as the designated hitter in the second spot of the lineup. The global superstar was marking a memorable moment. In the seventh inning, he smashed his first solo home run of the season since joining the team. It was his ninth game after his transfer and his 41st at-bat, a personal record for him. The Dodgers Stadium erupted into cheers as Ohtani showcased his power with this long-awaited hit.
The pitch he connected with was a 93 mph sinker. His eagerly anticipated first home run of the season was a colossal shot that soared 430 feet into the right field stands, igniting a standing ovation from the crowd.
This season, as he transitioned to a full-time batter after joining the Dodgers, Ohtani impressed during spring training with a batting average of .393, 11 hits in 28 at-bats, including 2 home runs and 9 RBIs. While he started the season opener with multiple hits, his recent performance saw a slight dip, with a batting average of .214 over the past seven games. Nonetheless, in his new home, Ohtani once again demonstrated his prowess to the fans.
Catch Shohei Ohtani hitting his first Dodger home run, here on ohtanimlb.com in this @ESPN video: