Ohtani '38th home run, 36-37 stolen base' Explosive batting and foot, 40-40 stride
Aug 18, 2024
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Ohtani reached 38 homers and 37 steals for the season with one homer and two stolen bases in the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on the 18th (Korea time).
Ohtani, who played as a designated hitter for leadoff, walked in his first at-bat in the first inning and stole a base. St. Louis right-hander Andre Palante and walked out with a 94.9-mile high ball after a close game to the eighth pitch.
He then ran to second base while a 93-mile outside fastball became a ball in the fourth pitch at Mookie Betts' at-bat, and was safe. Catcher Wilson Goncreras' throw was accurately delivered to the right of second base, and second baseman Nolan Gorman caught it and tried to tag it, but Ohtani's foot had already touched the base. Ohtani, who advanced to third base with Betts' deep fly ball to left, homered on Freddie Freeman's heavy hit and scored the first run.
Ohtani, who entered as a leadoff hitter again in the third inning when the score was tied at 1-1, got on base with a strikeout not-out and succeeded in stealing for the second time. While Palante's 4th 81-mile curve in the two-strike went one-bound, hit the catcher, and ran to first base only when the center recognized the check swing while flowing toward the dugout at third base. Betts then stole second base again while he was out with a fly ball to right field and a 94.8-mile fastball toward his body became a ball at Freeman's at-bat. Catcher Contreras started so fast that he didn't try to throw. However, Freeman struck out swinging and Teoscar Hernandez stepped down on a fly to right field, failing to advance further.
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It is the first time in four days and four games since Ohtani hit a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers on the 14th. 38th Arch of the season. With this, Ohtani widened the gap with Atlanta Braves Marcel Ojuna, who is second in NL home runs, to three.
If Ohtani adds two homers and three stolen bases, he will reach the 40th home run and 40 stolen bases in a season for the sixth time in history.
jhno@sportschosun.com
