Shohei Ohtani is inevitable.
Even as the Atlanta Braves took a 5-0 lead against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the series finale, the night still ended with heroics from Ohtani.
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With one out in the ninth inning of a tie game, Ohtani stepped to the plate with an opportunity to again deliver in a key moment.
“Really simple approach, I’m looking for a really good pitch to hit, and if I don’t get a pitch to hit, then I’m willing to walk,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton.
Ohtani got that pitch, and it was the first one he saw. The designated hitter blasted it over the center field wall for a walk-off homer, giving the Dodgers their eight consecutive win to begin the year.
“I’m just grateful as a player to be able to perform during an opportunity like this,” Ohtani said.
The Dodgers were sloppy early, but battled their way back from the early deficit they dug themselves into. Their rally was capped of by Max Muncy tying the game with a two-run double in the eighth inning.
“I think the credit really goes to Max Muncy to be able to pull through and tie the game,” Ohtani said. “For me, coming into the game tied during that at-bat, it just felt like we really had a good shot to win.”
While an assist is certainly given to Muncy, Tommy Edman, Michael Conforto and the rest of the club for the win, Ohtani once again proved to be the star, giving all the fans what they were hoping to see after lining up for hours before the game to get his bobblehead.
He once again proved to be inevitable.
“I think what everyone thinks, I think we are all aligned there,” Blake Snell said. “We knew when he was coming up and it’s his bobblehead night, everyone knew. We knew, that’s just what he does. You did too, I know you did, we all did.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was “dumbfounded” that his club played so poorly in the first few innings, and he was again surprised they were able to win a game they “had no business winning.”
But one thing Roberts was sure of is Shohei Ohtani.
“I did,” Roberts said when asked if he expected Ohtani to homer. “Well, I just thought he was going to get on base. … So you just feel that he’s going to do something special. And I just like the way he’s not pressing, he’s in the strike zone, and when he does that, there’s no one better.”
Shohei Ohtani to throw more bullpen sessions
As Ohtani continues to rehab his arm, the next steps are more bullpen sessions before progressing to facing hitters in live batting practice, which will be a first since having a second career right elbow surgery in September 2023.
“He’s going to throw a light bullpen [Wednesday] and then he’ll throw a heavier bullpen on Saturday,” Roberts said. “And then we’ll go from there. There’s still many bullpens to come.
“We don’t have it targeted it when he’s going to face hitters. We’re not there yet.”
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