Shohei Ohtani continued to dominate at the plate Saturday with his National League-leading 23rd home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers in their 7-2 Freeway Series victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
The two-time American League MVP homered in three straight games for the second time this season.
A day after blasting a 455-foot shot against his old team, Ohtani sent a fly ball 459 feet over right center field at Dodger Stadium.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits his 23rd home run of the season in a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on June 22, 2024. (Kyodo)
The two-run shot, off a 2-0 slider from right-hander Zach Plesac (1-1), put the hosts up 3-0 in the bottom of the third.
Dodger starter Tyler Glasnow (8-5) struck out 10 over seven innings in which he allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits and no walks.
Ohtani, who finished 1-for-4 with a walk, is third in the MLB home run race behind New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge (28) and Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (24).
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Patrick Sandoval (2nd from L) and Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (3rd from L) talk before a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on June 22, 2024, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on June 22, 2024. (Kyodo)
Among other Japanese players in MLB, Seiya Suzuki went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored as the Chicago Cubs designated hitter in an 8-1 win against the New York Mets.
Kenta Maeda (2-4) was charged with the Detroit Tigers’ 5-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox after allowing three runs on eight hits over 4-2/3 innings while striking out five.
