Ohtani's Heroics Propel Dodgers to Unbeaten Start
LOS ANGELES – Beyond his prowess as a pitcher and batter, Shohei Ohtani possesses an extraordinary knack for seizing crucial moments in Major League Baseball. On Wednesday night, as the crowd clutched their coveted Ohtani bobbleheads and watched anxiously, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced a pivotal instant tied in the bottom of the ninth inning. Ohtani stepped up to the batter’s box with his team expecting nothing short of brilliance.
“He’s going to finish this,” Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy thought confidently.
“We all believed it,” added starting pitcher Blake Snell. “It’s just his style.”
Ohtani swiftly validated their faith. He nailed a first-pitch changeup from Raisel Iglesias, sending it soaring 399 feet to center field for a dramatic walk-off home run. This clinched a thrilling 6-5 comeback win over the struggling Atlanta Braves.
“Nobody doubted the walk-off,” said Dodgers utility man Tommy Edman. “It was more about where it would land.”
This victory extended the Dodgers’ unbeaten run to 8-0, surpassing the 1933 New York Yankees’ record. While the Braves are 0-7, their playoff hopes dimming, Ohtani continues to rise to the occasion, already boasting a remarkable three home runs and a 1.126 OPS this season.
“Pretty impressive, right?” commented Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez. “That’s Shohei. He’s always going to deliver.”
On August 23, Ohtani achieved entry into the 40/40 club with a grand slam. Days later, during another bobblehead celebration, he launched a lead-off homer. By September 19, Ohtani not only sealed his first postseason berth but joined the 50/50 club with an unprecedented performance, notching six hits, three homers, two steals, and ten RBIs. He then homered in his first-ever playoff game.
“I was looking for a good pitch,” Ohtani recounted through an interpreter. “If it wasn’t there, I was ready to walk.”
When the optimal pitch came, he didn’t miss.
“You can feel he’s gearing up for something special,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised. “He’s staying composed, focused on the strike zone. When he does, no one outshines him.”
The Dodgers began the season with ease, sweeping the Chicago Cubs in Japan despite key absences like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Upon their return, they celebrated their World Series win with Ice Cube presenting the trophy and went on to sweep a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers. Despite Freeman being sidelined due to an ankle injury from a slip in the shower, they continued their dominance with a sweep over the Braves.
The team’s resilience is evident, with two walk-offs and six comeback victories already.
Wednesday’s comeback left Roberts “a bit amazed.”
Defensive errors, especially from Muncy, put the Dodgers at a disadvantage early, trailing 5-0. Yet, they steadily edged closer. By the eighth inning, just two runs behind with runners in scoring position, Muncy returned to form. Abandoning the torpedo bat, he opted for his usual bat to deliver a game-tying double.
Moments later, Ohtani sealed the win.
“There’s a great energy in the team,” Ohtani remarked after recording his fourth walk-off hit. “That vibe helps us triumph in these tight matches.”
The Dodgers’ unblemished start helps maintain a narrow lead over the 7-0 San Diego Padres and 5-1 San Francisco Giants in the National League West. With the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies also contributing wins, the division’s collective 25 wins and just seven losses are unprecedented.
Having conquered a 2-1 deficit to defeat the Padres in last year’s NL Division Series and subsequently clinching their first championship since 1988, the Dodgers’ fighting spirit remains unyielding.
“It’s like we’ve carried over last year’s resolve into this season,” Muncy explained. “The guys refuse to quit. Challenges arise, but the team’s composure and determination shine through. Everyone’s committed to the next play. It’s infectious and makes every game exciting.”