Otani stole his 40th steal of the season...Only one home run is left in the sixth 40-40 game of all time
Aug 24, 2024
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Ohtani played as a leadoff designated hitter in the home game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium on the 24th (Korea time) and hit a stolen base as a runner in his second at-bat.
In the bottom of the first inning, Ohtani pulled Tampa Bay left-hander Tyler Alexander's low sinker 90.2 miles into the fourth pitch and hit a line drive to the right, but headed in front of first baseman Yandy Diaz.
However, after losing 0-3 as a leadoff hitter in the fourth inning, he hit an infield hit and added a steal to reach the 40th base of the season.
Alexander's 2nd pitch 89.3 miles of sinker on One Strike was missed, making it a ground ball flowing between shortstop and third baseman. Tampa Bay shortstop Taylor Walls caught it with his bare hands and threw it to first base in reverse motion, but Ohtani's foot was much faster.
Ohtani then ran to second base as soon as Alexander's first pitch 78.1 miles sweeper penetrated the outer strike zone in Freddie Freeman's at-bat after one out and succeeded in stealing. The moment Tampa Bay catcher Rob Brantley tried to throw, Ohtani was bloodless on second base as the ball fell off the mitt.
Ohtani, who advanced to third base on Freeman's fly to left field, failed to reach home after Will Smith stepped down with a fly ball to right field after Teoscar Hernandez's walk.
Ohtani, who added three consecutive stolen bases since the Seattle Mariners game on the 21st, recorded 40 steals for the season in 129 games and 126 individual games. Ohtani will now join the 40-40 club for the sixth time ever if he adds one home run.
jhno@sportschosun.com
