Shohei Ohtani made his second start of the season in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 13-7 win over the Washington Nationals on Sunday, which also included a pitching appearance by Kiké Hernández.
Ohtani again filled an opener role as he continues to build up his endurance. He threw 18 pitches, including one wild pitch, and didn’t allow any hits in the one inning.
Ohtani recorded back-to-back strikeouts after Mookie Betts dropped a pop-up behind the mound to allow the Nationals’ only baserunner in the frame. His velocity topped out at 98.8 mph during the outing.
According to Sarah Langs of MLB.com, Ohtani joined Hernández as the only players in Dodgers history to hit 10 or more home runs and make at least two pitching appearances in the same season.
Only one player in Dodgers history has hit 10+ HR in a season where he pitched at least twice:
2024 Enrique Hernandez: 12 HR, 4 games pitched
…for now.
Shohei Ohtani will join the list today when he makes his second app this season
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 22, 2025
Hernández accomplished the feat last season when he hit 12 home runs and pitched in four games as a reliever. The 33-year-old has already made five pitching appearances this year and is three home runs away from another such season.
Whereas Ohtani is a two-way player, Hernández has been used as a pitcher in blowout situations as a way to preserve the Dodgers bullpen.
Dave Roberts surprised by Kiké Hernández
Hernández’s latest pitching appearance came in the ninth inning of Sunday’s rubber match with the Dodgers leading Nationals, 13-3. He faced six batters and managed to record only one out before Alex Vesia closed out the frame.
Hernández entered the game out of the bullpen and didn’t wear the pitching helmet he otherwise has had on this year.
“Well, I knew he was going in. I didn’t know he was going to come out of the ‘pen,” manager Dave Roberts said of Hernández. “He’s a smart baseball player and understands if we have a chance to save some bullets with Vesia, why not try?
“But today, the walks and you can’t make it too close. We saved some bullets, and Alex had to get two outs instead of three, so that was a positive. Kiké understands his value of potentially saving an inning for our guys in the ‘pen.”
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