Shohei Ohtani’s Bobblehead Night: Two Home Runs and a Dodgers Rout

Shohei Ohtani Shines on Bobblehead Night with Two Home Runs as Dodgers Dominate Athletics

In a night that was as much about celebration as it was about baseball, Shohei Ohtani put on a show for the ages. On his bobblehead night, Ohtani homered twice and drove in six runs, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a resounding 19-2 victory over the Athletics. This win not only marked a significant triumph for the Dodgers but also extended their unbeaten streak to six series.

The Dodgers, who had a rocky start with an 11-1 loss in the series opener, bounced back with a vengeance. Over the final two games, they outscored the Athletics 28-5, showcasing their offensive prowess. With a home record of 17-4, the Dodgers currently boast the best home performance in the majors. The 19 runs scored in this game are the most the Dodgers have ever scored against an American League opponent.

The third inning was a spectacle in itself. The Dodgers batted around, with Hyeseong Kim singling in a run, followed by Ohtani’s deep shot to left-center. Andy Pages then added to the fireworks with a 416-foot, three-run homer, giving the Dodgers a commanding 13-2 lead.

Ohtani’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. He tied Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber for the major league home run lead with his 15th homer in the fourth inning. This two-run, 418-foot blast to center marked the 20th multihomer game of his career. With nine homers in his last 15 games, Ohtani leads the majors with 48 runs.

In the second inning, Ohtani contributed to the Dodgers’ three runs with a sacrifice fly. The first inning saw Max Muncy highlight the scoring with a two-run homer. The Dodgers continued their offensive onslaught with another three runs in the eighth inning.

However, Ohtani’s night ended on a lighter note. With the game well in hand, Athletics backup catcher Jhonny Pereda took the mound in the eighth inning. Despite giving up three straight hits to the bottom of the Dodgers’ order, Pereda managed to strike out Ohtani. The Japanese superstar faced pitches ranging from 62 to 68 mph before fouling off an 89 mph fastball and going down swinging.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts couldn’t help but comment, “He struck out against a position player, how about that?” Pereda, understandably, kept the ball as a souvenir of his unexpected achievement.

• Ohtani’s two home runs tied him for the MLB lead with Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber.
• The Dodgers’ 19 runs are their most against an American League opponent.
• Ohtani has nine home runs in his last 15 games.
• The Dodgers improved to 17-4 at home, the best in the majors.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.