TOKYO — On a thrilling Saturday night at the Tokyo Dome, Japanese baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani showcased his incredible hitting prowess in his homecoming. During an exhibition match against the Yomiuri Giants, Ohtani powered a massive two-run homer in the third inning, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a 4-0 lead to the delight of approximately 42,000 cheering fans.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Ohtani’s ability to rise to the occasion, stating, “He always seems to rise to certain occasions, expectation to put on a performance. Once again, he delivered.” Ohtani’s performance indeed lived up to the high expectations surrounding the talented player.
Ohtani began the game drawing a walk and in his second plate appearance of the third inning, launched a 391-foot home run despite not getting his ideal swing. “I was a bit out front on it, but it went out at a good angle and I thought it was going to be a home run,” Ohtani commented through a translator. This homer further validated his quick recovery from surgery on his left shoulder, completed just four and a half months prior. The slugger appears to be in excellent form as he enters his eighth major league season and second with the Dodgers.
In addition to Ohtani, the Dodgers flaunted their power in the same inning with home runs from Michael Conforto and Teoscar Hernández, expanding their lead to 5-0. Conforto expressed excitement over his own performance stating, “It’s really amazing. In every big moment, he seems to just do what the fans want him to do,” he said, referring to Ohtani’s impactful play.
The Dodgers ultimately triumphed over Yomiuri 5-1. Their visit to Japan is part of the Tokyo Series, which includes two exhibition games before they face the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday and Wednesday to kick off the regular season.
During his MLB career, Ohtani made history in 2024 by becoming the first player to hit at least 50 home runs and steal 50 bases within a single season. Before his transition to Major League Baseball in 2018 with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani played for Japan’s Nippon Ham Fighters, where he established his reputation as an extraordinary talent.
