Shohei Ohtani returned to the Tokyo Dome with remarkable force on Saturday evening, thrilling thousands of fans with his impressive skills once again. During an exhibition face-off against the Yomiuri Giants, the acclaimed MLB star launched a sensational two-run homer in the third inning, propelling the Los Angeles Dodgers to a substantial 4-0 lead. The enthusiastic crowd of approximately 42,000 erupted in cheers following the impressive display.
“He consistently rises to prominent occasions, and there’s a constant expectation for him to deliver an exceptional performance,” remarked Dave Roberts, the manager of the Dodgers. “Today, he lived up to the expectations once more.”
Ohtani not only opened the game with a walk but also returned for another opportunity at bat in the third inning. Despite not connecting with the ball perfectly, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound powerhouse managed to send a slider from Yomiuri’s Shosei Togo flying 391 feet for a home run.
Remarkably, the 30-year-old has made a swift recovery just 4 1/2 months after shoulder surgery. His formidable swing at the Tokyo Dome is a promising indicator that he is in good form as he enters his eighth major league season, which is his second with the Dodgers.
“I was a bit ahead of it, but it left the bat at a good angle, and I felt it was going over the fence,” Ohtani explained, speaking through a translator.
The third inning was a showcase of power from the Dodgers, with Michael Conforto, Ohtani, and Teoscar Hernández each blasting home runs, bringing Los Angeles to a 5-0 lead. Conforto expressed his excitement at hitting a homer in his first at-bat, but attention swiftly turned to Ohtani’s prowess.
“It’s incredible,” Conforto noted. “In every significant moment, he tends to perform precisely how the fans hope.”
Ultimately, Los Angeles triumphed over Yomiuri with a 5-1 victory.
The Dodgers are currently participating in the Tokyo Series, engaging in exhibition games against Japanese clubs. They will soon transition into the regular season with two games against the Chicago Cubs scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Ohtani made history in 2024, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball to achieve at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. Before his MLB career, he played with the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan before joining the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.
