Shohei Ohtani (30), the 'superstar' of the Major League Baseball (MLB) LA Dodgers, hit multiple hits (recording two or more hits in one game) in his first game with home fans.
Betts and Freeman home runs Dodgers win 7-1 over St. Louis
Ohtani started as the designated hitter twice in the 2024 MLB U.S. mainland opening game against the St. Louis Cardinals held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA on the 29th (Korean time), and performed well with 2 hits in 3 at-bats, 1 walk, and 1 run.
Otani, who took his first at bat with no outs on first base in the bottom of the first inning, kicked opposing starter Myles Micholas' fourth pitch with a low changeup to the outside and hit a double that landed next to right field. However, Ohtani was out while trying to run to third base.
Ohtani drew a walk in the bottom of the third inning when the Dodgers were up 3-0, and hit home on follow-up hitter Freddie Freeman's two-run shot in the middle of the inning.
The second hit came in the bottom of the fifth inning with one out and no runners on base. When Mycolas' fourth pitch slider was in the middle of the pitch, Ohtani aimed for it and connected with a hit to the right. The follow-up hit did not occur, so he could not advance.
Ohtani struck out right-handed pitcher Riley O'Brien in the bottom of the seventh inning.
This day's game was Ohtani's first time wearing a Dodgers uniform and playing in front of the home fans. Ohtani, who caused a stir in the MLB as a pitcher, became a free agent after the 2023 season and signed a 10-year, $700 million (approximately KRW 945 billion) contract with the Dodgers. Ohtani's Dodgers debut was held in Seoul. The Dodgers played their opening two-game series against the San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 20th and 21st. During the Seoul Series, Ippei Mizuhara, who had been in charge of personal interpretation since entering the United States, was embroiled in controversy when he was fired on charges of illegal gambling and theft. While Mizuhara is known to have accessed Otani's money for gambling, suspicions are growing that Otani may be involved. Ohtani, who had 3 hits and 2 RBIs in 10 at-bats in two games of the MLB World Tour Seoul Series, went silent with no hits amid controversy after returning to the United States. He went 0-for-6 in three exhibition games against the Angels from the 25th to the 27th. However, in the opening game on the U.S. mainland, he had multiple hits and raised his season batting average from 0.300 to 0.385 (5 hits in 13 at-bats). The Dodgers defeated St. Louis 7-1 thanks to the hard hitting of Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freeman, the trio of MVPs. Betts hit a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning with a 2-0 lead, going 1 hit in 2 at-bats, 2 walks, 1 RBI, and 3 runs. Freeman came out strong in the bottom of the third inning with 2 hits, 3 RBI, and 2 runs, including a two-run gun. Tyler Glasnow of the Dodgers, who started the opening game against San Diego in Seoul and pitched well, allowing 2 runs in 5 innings, took the starting pitch that day and pitched well, allowing 2 hits (1 home run) and 1 run in 6 innings, and reported his first win of the season. The Dodgers' season record, which had one win each in the Seoul Series against San Diego, became 2 wins and 1 loss. 섯다
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