Shohei Ohtani hit a massive three-run homer on June 30, leading the Dodgers to a 9-4 win over the Athletics. The home run, estimated at 432 feet, was the second-longest of Ohtani's team-leading 18 big flies this season.
What happened?
The game was a wild slugfest, with 17 hits and three lead changes through the first 3 ½ innings. The Dodgers got one rally started when a Kyle Tucker pop fly dropped between two Athletics outfielders.
Why it matters for Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani has been on a heater, hitting .361 with 12 home runs since May 12. His performance has made him the best player in baseball over the last six weeks, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
What comes next?
The Dodgers are now 55-30, and manager Dave Roberts is on the verge of his 1,000th career win. With one more win, he will become the fourth Dodgers manager to reach the milestone, joining Tommy Lasorda, Walter Alston, and Wilbert Robinson.
The Athletics answered in the bottom half of the second inning when Max Muncy hit a single past Max Muncy on a ground ball that kicked off the bag and hopped into shallow left. But the Dodgers began to pull away with two home runs in the fourth inning.
And then Ohtani provided the biggest highlight of the night, clobbering a three-run homer that would've been gone in any of MLB's 30 ballparks. The crowd of 12,394 in MLB's most unconventional setting was thrilled by the weird bounces and unusual moments.
Dodgers starter Eric Lauer finally brought some calm, bouncing back from the three-run second from the Athletics by stranding the bases loaded in the third. He then retired 10 of his final 12 en route to a strong six-inning start.
The Dodgers bullpen got through the final three innings, including Kyle Hurt striking out the heart of the A's lineup in order in the seventh. The win puts the Dodgers in a strong position, with Shohei Ohtani leading the charge.
Teoscar Hernández also made a big contribution, going 2-for-5 in his return from a month-long absence with a hamstring strain. He tested out his hamstring immediately by legging out an infield single in the second.
The Dodgers' lineup saw eight of nine starters record at least two hits. No one's contributions were as refreshing, however, as Hernández, who came back up in the third and singled again on a 103 mph line drive to right.
On June 30, the Dodgers proved they are a force to be reckoned with, thanks in large part to Shohei Ohtani's impressive home run. The team is now looking forward to their next game, with Ohtani ready to lead the charge.