A Remarkable Display
In today’s overseas opening game in South Korea, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 5-2, with Shohei Ohtani showcasing his skills. He secured his first hit, RBI, and stolen base wearing the Dodgers uniform, and nearly broke a personal record with a massive out-of-the-park hit ball speed of 119.2 mph, leaving fans in awe of his abilities.
An Impressive Feat
Batting second and serving as the designated hitter, Ohtani hit a ground ball in his first at-bat. However, in his second at-bat in the second inning, after a count of one ball and one strike, Ohtani unleashed a deep fly ball to right field that hit the roof of the stadium, narrowly missing being a home run.
Almost a Record Breaker
According to MLB data expert Sarah Langs, the exit velocity of this hit was measured at 119.2 mph (approximately 191.8 km/h), surpassing Ohtani’s previous personal best of 119.1 mph (approximately 191.7 km/h) set in 2022. Unfortunately, this out-of-the-park hit cannot be officially recorded due to landing outside the playing area.
Fans Amazed
ESPN’s “SportsCenter” featured this near-missed remarkable hit, prompting fans to marvel, with comments like “This guy is too unreal” and “He’s a monster” from Japanese fans, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of Ohtani’s talent.
Ohtani’s Double Hit Secures Dodgers’ Victory
In the MLB’s opening game in Seoul today, Shohei Ohtani’s first hit of the 2024 season was against pitcher Dabbishu You, securing two hits and an RBI, along with an unusual “broken” glove hit by a teammate, resulting in a crucial hit that helped the Dodgers score four runs in the eighth inning and secure a 5-2 victory over the Padres, marking a successful start to the 2024 season.
A Duel of Talents
Facing You for the first time, Ohtani hit an infield ground ball in the first inning. In his second at-bat in the second inning, he connected with a high-angle fastball at a speed of 181 km/h for a hit. In total, Ohtani had one hit and one stolen base in two plate appearances against You, gaining the upper hand in the matchup.
A Disappointing Performance
You, in his fourth career opening game start, equaled the Japanese pitchers’ record for the most such starts alongside Masahiro Tanaka but failed to secure a win in any of them.
A Hard-Fought Victory
Despite the Padres loading the bases in the fourth inning, the Dodgers fought back in the eighth inning. Hernandez’s sacrifice fly tied the game, and Lux’s ground ball unexpectedly pierced through the glove of Padres’ first baseman, resulting in the Dodgers taking the lead. Ohtani then followed up with a timely hit, contributing to a four-run rally and sealing the victory for the Dodgers.(Phlwin)