MIAMI – Shohei Ohtani became the first player in major league history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season when he hit three home runs and stole two bases to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 20-4 playoff-clinching victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday.
“Happy, relieved and very respectful to my colleagues and everyone who played baseball before me,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.
Ohtani also became the first player to hit three home runs and two steals in a game. He hit two doubles, had a career-best six hits and set a Dodgers record with 10 RBI. His 51 home runs this season broke Shawn Green’s franchise record of 49 set in 2001.
“The individual effort tonight was remarkable,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “This baseball game was a victory for Major League Baseball. I know people all over the world watched this game, and we are pleased they had the chance to witness a historic event.”
The Japanese star started the day with two home runs and a steal just shy of the 50-50 mark. Ohtani hit a double to open the game and then stole third base to get to 50 steals. He stole his 51st base in the second inning.
Ohtani hit a 438-footer to the second deck in right-center against reliever George Soriano in the sixth inning. His 49th home run gave the Dodgers a 9-3 lead. He came back in the seventh inning and Ohtani in connection with its historic explosionan outfield throw over the left outfield wall against Mike Baumann.
“Honestly, I wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible,” Ohtani said. “Every time I went to bat, the balls were swapped.”
Ohtani was mobbed by his Dodgers teammates as he reached the dugout. The crowd of 15,548 continued to cheer until Ohtani emerged from the dugout for a curtain call.
The Marlins’ home stadium has special meaning for Ohtani. It was here that he struck out star hitter Mike Trout, securing the last out in Japan’s victory over the USA in the final of the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
“I have experienced perhaps the most memorable moments of my career here and this stadium has become one of my favorites,” Ohtani said.
With first base vacant before Ohtani’s first two home runs, Marlins manager Skip Schumaker opted to have Soriano and Baumann pitch for Ohtani rather than intentionally walk him.
“If it was a close game, one point ahead or one point behind, I’d probably put him in,” Schumaker said. “Being that many points behind is a bad move as far as baseball, karma and baseball gods go. You go at him to see if you can get him out. I think out of respect for the game, we wanted to go at him. He hit the home run. That’s just part of the deal.”
The Dodgers respected Schumaker’s decision.
“A lot of us actually looked at the opposing dugout and I think a lot of coaches told Skip, ‘Hey, we should put him in here,'” Dodgers infielder Max Muncy said. “I’ve always liked Skip. When he was first base coach in San Diego, I always talked to him. I heard all the guys like playing for him. The fact that he does that is great.”
Roberts added: “The game was definitely out of control. The guys took out their starters and then took away that potential moment from the fans, Shohei himself, Skip understood that. It was bigger than that and I have no respect for that.”
Ohtani faced infielder Vidal Bruján in the ninth inning and hit his third home run – a 440-foot, three-run hit that highlighted a six-run inning.
Ohtani’s historic day nearly included a cycle. He was thrown out at third base while trying to turn his second double into a triple.
The NL West-leading Dodgers secured their 12th consecutive playoff berth and reduced their magic number to win the division to six.
Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty allowed three runs and five hits in six innings. Flaherty (13-7) allowed two walks and struck out five times.
Ohtani gave the Dodgers a 7-1 lead with a two-run double in the third inning against Edward Cabrera (4-8). Cabrera was taken out after allowing two consecutive walks with the bases loaded.
Andy Pages hit a two-run double in the seventh inning to increase Los Angeles’ lead to 12-3 and scored on Ohtani’s second home run.
TRAINING ROOM
Dodgers: INF Miguel Rojas (illness) was available as a pinch hitter and will return Friday, Roberts said.
Marlins: Bruján (sprained shoulder) and OF Derek Hill (left shoulder impingement) were activated from the injured list.
Next
Dodgers: Have not yet named a starter for the opener of a three-game home series on Friday against LHP Kyle Freeland (5-7, 4.89 ERA) and Colorado.
Marlins: Continue their final home game of the season on Friday. RHP Valente Bellozo (2-4, 3.70) opens a three-game series against Atlanta. RHP Charlie Morton (8-8, 4.01) will start for the Braves.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
