ドジャース 大谷おおたに翔平しょうへい 36号さんじゅうろくごうホームラン 日本にほん選手せんしゅ初はつの4よん試合しあい連続れんぞく

Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers played in a game against the Twins and became the first Japanese player to hit home runs in four consecutive games.

Also, in this game, pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto made his first start of the second half, striking out eight batters and allowing three runs over five innings, but he did not factor into the decision.

On the 22nd, the Dodgers played against the Twins at their home stadium in Los Angeles, and Ohtani, who has hit home runs in three consecutive games, started as the second batter and designated hitter.

In the 9th inning, after going hitless in his first four at-bats, Ohtani came up for his fifth at-bat with two outs and a runner on third, trailing by five runs. He perfectly connected with a low outside split-finger pitch, sending his 36th home run—a two-run shot—over the left-center field stands for his fourth consecutive game with a homer.

It is the first time for a Japanese player to hit home runs in four consecutive games, and it is also the first time this season to hit a home run the day after pitching.

The exit velocity was 173 km/h, and the distance was 123 meters. With this hit, he once again tied for the top spot in the National League home run rankings.

Shohei Ohtani had 1 hit in 5 at-bats and 2 RBIs.

Pitcher Duran: If its a home run hit by him, I can accept it. Ohtanis 36th home run of the season, his fourth in four consecutive games, came off a 161 km/h split thrown by Twins closer Duran.

This was the first time this season that pitcher Durán had given up a home run. After the game, he said, I was able to throw it where I aimed, but his swing was better.

He is the best player in the majors.

I dont want to give up a home run to any other player, but if its him, I can accept it, he said, showing a sense of resignation.

Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run the day after pitching since returning as a pitcher.

Before this game, he had only 1 hit in 15 at-bats on the day after pitching, and American media had pointed out that the fatigue from pitching might be affecting his batting. However, this swing helped to ease those concerns.

After the game, Manager Roberts said, He fulfills his role every day, and added, Its still too early to determine whether pitching is affecting his batting.

Today we saw some good signs, so we want to assess things ourselves without being swayed by outside opinions, he said calmly.

Ohtani had previously hit home runs in three consecutive games 10 times, including during his time with the Angels, but with this 11th time, he extended his record to four consecutive games for the first time.

Three consecutive home runs had been achieved by Hideki Matsui, a Japanese player, during his time with the Yankees in 2004 and 2007, but this is the first time a Japanese player has hit home runs in four consecutive games.

The Major League record is eight consecutive games, achieved by former Mariners player Ken Griffey, former Yankees player Don Mattingly, and former Pirates player Dale Long.

Also, among active players, the most is Angels Trout, who hit home runs in 7 consecutive games in 2022.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto made his first start of the second half, pitching five innings, allowing three runs, striking out eight, and receiving a no-decision. In this game, Yamamoto, who had maintained an 8-7 record with an ERA in the 2.00s so far, took the mound for his first start of the second half. He pitched through five innings, struck out eight batters, but gave up three runs and left the mound with the score tied.

Number of pitches: 101, hits allowed: 5, walks: 1, ERA: 2

It has become 55.

The Dodgers’ relief pitchers couldn’t hold on again today, and they lost 7-10. Yamamoto did not get a win or loss decision.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto: I wanted to get through it allowing only one run. Looking back on the scene where, after giving up one run in the second inning due to a teammates error, he then allowed two more runs on a timely double, pitcher Yamamoto said, I wanted to somehow get through it with just one run allowed.

If we had held them there, I think the flow of the game might have changed, he said dejectedly.

The two-run timely double was hit by the ninth batter, Vasquez, off a poorly placed splitter.

I aimed to throw this pitch lower, but it ended up staying a bit in the strike zone.

I really regret that one pitch, he reflected.

On the other hand, from the third inning onward, he held them scoreless by mainly pitching fastballs, saying, Since they were looking out for my splitter, I was able to aggressively attack with my fastball.

I definitely wanted to pitch at least five innings, and although it was really the bare minimum, Im glad I was able to get that far, he said positively.