BREAKING: In a dramatic night of baseball, Shohei Ohtani hit his 100th home run with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the achievement was overshadowed as the Pittsburgh Pirates clinched a thrilling 9-7 victory on July 11, 2023. This pivotal moment came during an electrifying matchup that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Ohtani’s milestone came in the fourth inning, smashing a solo shot off Bubba Chandler at 120 mph, marking it as the second-hardest hit homer in MLB this season. With this home run, Ohtani notched his 46th homer of the season, registering the hardest-hit ball of his entire career, per ESPN Research.
This remarkable achievement makes Ohtani the fastest player in Dodgers history to reach 100 home runs, accomplishing the feat in just 294 games. He surpassed Gary Sheffield, who reached the milestone in 399 games. Ohtani also became one of only three players to reach this mark faster than Mark McGwire and Babe Ruth with a single team.
Despite Ohtani’s historic moment, the game took a turn. After his homer, Teoscar Hernandez hit a two-out RBI single, and Andy Pages launched a homer to tie the game at 4-4. However, the Pirates regained control when Henry Davis hit an RBI single, followed by a crucial two-run double from Jared Triolo, pushing the Pirates ahead.
Chandler, only 22 years old, faced challenges on the mound, allowing three runs and six hits over four innings. He has now recorded two wins and a save in his first three major league appearances. In the ninth inning, despite Ohtani’s second double and a walk to Miguel Rojas, Dennis Santana closed out the game for his 12th save.
Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw struggled initially, allowing four runs in the first inning but managed to settle down, preventing further scoring while pitching for five innings with no additional hits allowed.
This game serves as a reminder of the fierce competition in MLB, with Ohtani’s historic achievement juxtaposed against a tough loss for the Dodgers. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Ohtani will continue to perform as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers will be focused on bouncing back, while Ohtani’s record-breaking pace will undoubtedly keep him in the spotlight. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the season unfolds.