Shohei Ohtani blasted a three-run home run and made All-Star Game history on Tuesday night, but his NL squad ultimately fell 5-3 to the AL.
Ohtani’s three-run homer in the top of the third inning flew 400 feet, and made him the first player in MLB history to hit a home run and earn a win as a pitcher (he did so back in 2021) in their career.
Per the MLB, he’s also the first Dodgers player to hit a home run in the All-Star Game since Mike Piazza in 1996.
And Opta added that Ohtani, who finished the game with three RBI and a walk, is the only player in All-Star Game history to account for all of his team’s walks and RBI in an All-Star Game.
A four-time All-Star playing 11 days after his 30th birthday, Ohtani was with the NL for the first time after leaving the Los Angeles Angels to sign a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting a three-run home run in the third inning on Tuesday
Ohtani’s home run traveled 400 feet but ultimately proved to be the NL’s only offense
Ohtani was the first two-way All-Star for three straight years through 2023 and got the win in the 2021 game at Denver’s Coors Field when he retired Fernando Tatis Jr., Max Muncy and Nolan Arenado in the first inning. He is not pitching this season following elbow surgery last September .
Ultimately, Ohtani’s bomb proved to be the NL’s only scoring offense on the night as their AL opponents fought back to score five runs unanswered.
In the bottom of the third inning, Yankees star Juan Soto hit a two-run double, before he scored from a David Fry single afterwards in the same inning.
Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran later hit a two-run home run to give the AL a 5-3 that they’d ultimately hold on to.
He was later awarded the game’s MVP award, making him the first Red Sox player to snag the honor since J.D. Drew in 2008.
Nonetheless, it wasn’t the most offensively prolific night on either side as Ohtani was the only NL player to register an RBI, while the AL notched just five hits despite their win.
Of note, Yankees star Aaron Judge went 0-for-2 at the plate, while Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper went 1-of-3 for the NL squad.
The Athletics’ Mason Miller was credited with the win while Emmanuel Clase got the save for the AL.
More to follow
