Major League Superstar Shohei Ohtani of the LA Dodgers hit his 24th home run of the season, setting a record for consecutive games with an RBI. On June 26, Ohtani started as the designated hitter in an away game against the Chicago White Sox at the Guaranteed Rate Field in Illinois. He had 4 at-bats, 2 hits (1 home run), 1 walk, and 2 RBIs.
Ohtani is boasting a batting average of 0.320 with 24 home runs, 60 RBIs, 16 stolen bases, and an OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) of 1.032.
Ohtani started the first inning as the leadoff hitter and fired a cannon against the White Sox’s starter Chris Flexen. Flexen is a pitcher who used to play for the Doosan Bears in the KBO League.
On a 2-ball 2-strike count, Ohtani lifted the 5th curveball over the right fence. It was his 24th home run in the league. Ohtani maintained his lead in the National League home run race with this home run. He also extended his record of consecutive games with an RBI to 9 since the game against the Kansas City Royals on June 17.
This record ties the single-season consecutive game RBI record for a Dodgers player. If he scores an RBI in the game against the White Sox on June 27, he will rewrite history.
Ohtani is showing off his peak batting skills as he steps in as the leadoff hitter in place of Mookie Betts, who recently suffered a wrist fracture.
He hit 7 home runs while scoring an RBI in 9 consecutive games.
In the top of the 3rd inning, he drew a walk as the leadoff hitter when they were down 1-3. In the 4th inning, he hit a right-field RBI single with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 3rd.
The Dodgers won 4-3, and Ohtani became the hero with the game-winning hit.
The Dodgers deployed 7 relief pitchers, including Bobby Miller, to secure the victory.
With a record of 50 wins and 31 losses, the Dodgers firmly held the top spot in the National League West division. The White Sox, with 21 wins and 60 losses, are stuck in 5th place in the American League Central division.