In a thrilling matchup in Phoenix, the Los Angeles Dodgers orchestrated an impressive comeback against the Arizona Diamondbacks, highlighted by a stunning three-run homer from star player Shohei Ohtani. The game concluded with a remarkable 14-11 victory for the Dodgers, anchored by Ohtani’s clutch performance that drew comparisons with baseball legend Barry Bonds.
Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts, who once played alongside Bonds, acknowledged the exceptional talent of Ohtani, stating, “Between him and Barry Bonds, those are the two best players I’ve ever seen. The way Sho steps up in crucial moments is unparalleled.” The game against the Diamondbacks was among the season’s most exhilarating, featuring 25 runs, 26 hits, wild shifts in momentum, and a display of power with six total home runs.
Ohtani, a Japanese sensation with a knack for rising to big occasions, continues to build his legacy, having achieved significant feats with both the Los Angeles Angels and, more recently, the Dodgers. In the ninth inning, with the Dodgers down but tied at 11 after a gutsy rally, Ohtani approached the plate with game-changing potential. Despite falling behind in the count, he turned a low breaking ball into a dramatic homer, marking his 12th for the season. His celebration mirrored that of Arizona’s Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who had previously tied the game with a grand slam in the fifth inning.
Reflecting on the contest, Ohtani expressed, “It was a really great game. It’s not the kind of game we play a lot, but for us to score a lot, for them to come back, for us to come back again — it was very emotional.”
The dynamic evening commenced with a bang, as Ohtani crushed a 423-foot double against the center field wall, a shot loaded with power at 107.9 mph that would likely have cleared the fence in most venues. However, Arizona quickly responded with Ketel Marte’s solo homer and Eugenio Suárez’s two-run blast.
As the Dodgers initiated their offensive display, Kiké Hernández delivered a leadoff homer in the second inning, and Ohtani followed up with a decisive double, propelling Los Angeles to an 8-3 lead after a productive third inning. However, the Dodgers’ momentum stalled as their bats fell silent, allowing the Diamondbacks to surge ahead.
Gurriel’s seventh career grand slam reset the scoreboard for Arizona, and a bases-loaded walk ensured a 9-8 advantage. The Diamondbacks temporarily seized control, extending their lead to 11-8 with back-to-back homers from Marte and pinch-hitter Randal Grichuk by the eighth inning.
Nonetheless, as the Diamondbacks called upon Kevin Ginkel for closing duties, the tides changed dramatically. A string of hits by Freddie Freeman and Andy Pages, coupled with an RBI from Max Muncy, squared the game at 11. When Michael Conforto was hit by a pitch, Ginkel handed the ball over to Ryan Thompson, whose fate was sealed by Ohtani’s heroics.
Muncy captured the sentiments of many, noting, “Whenever you see Sho put in these spots, you expect the incredible. He rarely disappoints, and that was no different there.” The extraordinary showdown was a testament to Ohtani’s standing as one of baseball’s all-time greats in exhilarating, pressured settings.