CLEVELAND (AP) — Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani launched a leadoff homer in his second consecutive game of his career.
The reigning National League MVP connected off Gavin Williams in Cleveland, marking his 19th homer and leading all of Major League Baseball as of Monday night.
This marks Ohtani’s fifth leadoff homer and the 17th time he has scored this season since debuting in the majors from Japan in 2018. It was also the second instance this year that he went deep on the first pitch.
Williams has now allowed a homer on the first pitch three times this season, tied for the most along with Jeffrey Springs of the Athletics, Nestor Cortes of Milwaukee, and Tanner Houck of Boston.
Ohtani also notched leadoff homers in consecutive games last season against the Chicago White Sox.
Manager Dave Roberts mentioned that Ohtani is likely to throw a bullpen session on Thursday after facing live batters on Sunday. Ohtani is recovering from right elbow surgery on September 19, 2023.
“He’s been feeling better since yesterday,” Roberts said.
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Source: apnews.com