LOS ANGELES-. Shohei Ohtani He put an end to the game with a grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning, to reach 40 home runs shortly after committing his 40th theftand the Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 on Friday.
Ohtani became the fastest player to join the 40-40 club in major league history. He is the sixth player to join the elite and the first to do so with the Dodgers.
He broke the record held by Dominican Alfonso Soriano, who had joined the club in the Washington Nationals’ 148th game in 2006. Ohtani did so with the Dodgers in the 129th game.
“Really, the most important thing is the win,” Ohtani said. “Obviously the record is part of the process, but I think the most important thing is that we won the game.”
The Japanese superstar emerged from the cave to the acclaim of the 45,556 spectators. His teammates threw water at him on the pitch.
“This is one for the history books, 40-40 in the same night,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I don’t know if this has ever been done before and with a game-winning grand slam. He definitely likes the drama and this is something I’ll remember for a long time.”
Will Smith was hit by a pitch from Manuel Rodriguez (2-3) to lead off the ninth and Tommy Edman followed with a single. Smith and Edman advanced on a sacrifice fly by Miguel Rojas.
Colin Poche came on and walked Max Muncy, setting the stage for Ohtani’s 389-foot blast to center field.
The victory went to Michael Kopech (4-8).
For the Rays, Cuban Yandy Díaz was 0-for-4. Dominicans Junior Caminero was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI, Christopher Morel was 2-for-4 with one run scored and two RBIs, and José Siri was 0-for-4.
For the Dodgers, Dominican Teoscar Hernandez went 1-for-3. Venezuelan Rojas went 1-for-3. Puerto Rican Kiké Hernandez went 2-for-3 with one run scored and three RBIs.
