Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani throws hardest pitch of his career vs. Royals
Unicorn. Shotime. Nito-Ryu. No matter what you call him, Shohei Ohtani is one of the most uniquely gifted athletes in MLB, nay, the world, with a collection of tools the likes of which few could even imagine.
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As a hitter, Ohtani is among the best bombers in the business, with 29 home runs and counting in his second season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. While Ohtani aims for power more often than not, he's also one of the Dodgers' top extra-base hitters, and in 2024, he joined the 40/40 club, becoming one of the rare players who steal as many bases as they destroy dingers.
And now, as a pitcher, Ohtani is reminding fans in Los Angeles and beyond just how special he is on the mound, too, with the MVP throwing his third game of the season against the Kansas City Royals in impressive fashion.
Before the game, skipper Dave Roberts noted that the Dodgers would try to get Ohtani past the first inning for the first time this year, assuming things went well for the two-way star. While Ohtani did have some struggles early on, getting two of his first three batters on base – including his first walk of the season – 'Shotime' launched the fastest heater of his career, with Vinnie Pasquantino hitting the 101.7 mph fastball into a double-play.
Ohtani then pitched the second inning without as much excitement, with the No. 17 retiring the side in order on 13 pitches with Salvador Perez lining out to center, Jac Caglianone striking out, and Nick Loftin fouling out to Dalton Rushing.
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Will Shohei Ohtani eventually give the Dodgers a 'full game,' making it into, or even past, the fifth inning on a regular basis? Potentially so, but for now, he's once again proving why he's one of the most exciting players in MLB, as even in limited action, Ohtani can still do things with a baseball – both throwing and hitting it – that few others could even dream of.
Related: Dodgers' Dave Roberts provides important Tyler Glasnow update
Related: Dodgers' encouraging Roki Sasaki injury update comes with a catch
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New York Times
18 minutes ago
- New York Times
Brooks Lee's perfect bunt delivers Twins' walk-off win over Rays
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If Brooks can get the bunt down — and it's not an easy bunt. But if he can get the bunt down, Buck's going to be safe. I just simplified it in my mind like that. (Lee) can lay a bunt down. He's a baseball player. He said, 'That's Big West baseball at its finest.'' Even though Tampa Bay pulled in the infield, the Rays didn't appear to think Lee would bunt. He offered at Cleavinger's first pitch, a 98 mph fastball on the inner half, and perfectly pushed it up the first-base line for a single, which set off a second straight celebration. 'Practiced it like every other day in college,' Lee said. 'Bunted in pro-ball, I think one time, and I got yelled at. … But yeah, I definitely practice it enough times to be comfortable, and it showed off.' The Twins didn't show much against Tampa Bay starter Taj Bradley, who shook off the early jam and pitched well into the middle innings. After Lewis singled with the bases loaded to make it 1-0, Bradley struck out Clemens, got Bader to hit into a fielder's choice and retired Buxton on a towering fly ball to the warning track in left field. Bradley retired 13 of 14 batters following Lewis's single in the second inning. The Twins wasted a one-out Trevor Larnach double in the third inning and then weren't heard from until the sixth inning. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay took advantage of Adams' inability to miss bats, scoring a run in the third, fourth and sixth innings along with a pair in the fifth. Working as part of a bullpen day, Adams allowed five earned runs and nine hits in four innings, striking out one. Advertisement But as quickly as the Twins seemed finished, they woke up. Carlos Correa and Ryan Jeffers started a game-tying rally with a pair of one-out singles in the sixth inning. Lewis provided his teammates with a jolt, a two-out single to right-center field to make it a 5-2 game. 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CBS News
19 minutes ago
- CBS News
Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt expected to have season-ending Tommy John surgery
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Associated Press
24 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Laureano drives in go-ahead run in 3-run 10th inning as Orioles blast 3 homers and beat Braves 9-6
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