Shohei Ohtani finished the unofficial first half of the season with a National League-best 32 home runs, which are the most by a Los Angeles Dodgers player before the All-Star break.
Cody Bellinger previously held the franchise record with 30 home runs during the 2019 season.
Ohtani has already set multiple Dodgers records this year, including most home runs through the first 86 games of a season. The two-way star set a new mark with his 30th home run, which broke a record that was shared by Gil Hodges and Duke Snider.
Ohtani also set a new Dodgers franchise record for most home runs before July. His 29 home runs entering the month surpassed Bellinger’s and Gary Sheffield’s 27.
It’s reminiscent to the various records Ohtani broke before the All-Star Game in his first season with the Dodgers.
Ohtani is in the midst of another MVP-caliber season after establishing the 50-50 club last year. He was selected to his fifth consecutive All-Star Game and hit leadoff for the NL team.
Ohtani has continued to produce at an elite level as he eases back into a two-way role. He is batting .275/.380/.608 with 51 extra-base hits and 60 RBI in 433 plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Ohtani has give up just one run in nine innings as a pitcher. He has allowed five hits while collecting 10 strikeouts against two walks in five starts.
Shohei Ohtani dominant in final start before All-Star break
Ohtani’s fifth start of the season came with the Dodgers in the midst of a season-worst seven-game losing streak. He struck out the side in the first inning and proceeded to hold the Giants scoreless over a season-high three innings.
After the game, manager Dave Roberts attributed Ohtani’s efforts to the Dodgers being able to get back in the win column.
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