Shohei Ohtani pitching highlights: Dodgers star throws fastest pitch of career
It was another Shohei Ohtani bump day, and for the first time in 2025, he went more than one inning.
And he brought the heat in Kansas City.
Ohtani pitched two innings of scoreless baseball against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, June 28, and he notched another career achievement when he threw the hardest pitch of his career at 102 mph.
Saturday was a first for the Los Angeles Dodgers star in 2025 in that he pitched away from home. In his first two starts, he tossed an inning of work before he rushed near the dugout to get his batting gear on so he could bat leadoff. This time around, he got to take an at-bat before he threw a single pitch, allowing him to have a not-so-chaotic first inning.
It didn't start well at the plate, as Ohtani struck out on three pitches, the third straight time he started the day with a strikeout when pitching.
Trouble was brewing in the first inning of pitching for Ohtani, but he was able to work out of it. After he got leadoff hitter Jonathan India to fly out, he gave up a bloop single to Bobby Witt Jr. before he walked Maikel Garcia on five pitches. Batters have reached in all of Ohtani's first innings of work, but the threat ended quickly when he got Vinny Pasquantino to ground into a double play.
REQUIRED READING: MLB at the midway point: Cal Raleigh's HR pace could deny Aaron Judge a Triple Crown
He got Pasquantino out the fastest thrown pitch of Ohtani's career, which was technically 101.7 mph.
The second inning was much more smooth for the two-way star. He retired the side, including a strikeout on rookie Jac Caglianone, on 13 pitches, and the velocity was still up in the high 90s.
He finished the day on the mound with 27 pitches − 20 of which were strikes −against seven batters, giving up one hit and one strikeout. After he was dependent on the sweeper in his most recent outing against the Washington Nationals, Ohtani relied on the fastball in Kansas City. He threw it 11 times and he threw triple-digits three times on the day.
The sweeper was also used often, but it was the first time Ohtani reincorporated the slider into his pitch arsenal. He certainly got Kansas City conscious of it as the Royal swung on all four sliders he threw, including the swinging strikeout by Caglianone.
Since giving up a run in his 2025 pitching debut, Ohtani hasn't given up another score since.
Shohei Ohtani 2025 pitching stats
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Blue Jays Third Baseman Turns Heads With Message Before Yankees Game
Blue Jays Third Baseman Turns Heads With Message Before Yankees Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Toronto Blue Jays encapsulated the unpredictability of baseball in their three-game series against the Boston Red Sox over the weekend. They won Friday's game 9-0 before losing 15-1 on Saturday and winning 5-3 on Sunday. Advertisement However, what's most important is that they won the series and stayed three games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Toronto will host the Yankees for four games starting on Monday night, and will take their spot if they sweep them. Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger sounded off about the upcoming matchup on Sunday, via Keegan Matheson. Toronto Blue Jays infielder Addison Barger (47)© Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images 'I think I stay level," he said when asked about battling them for the division crown. "I mean… I don't even know if I knew we were playing the Yankees, but now I do.' Barger is slashing .260/.321/.485 with nine homers and 26 RBI over 59 games this season. Toronto fans on social media are enjoying the 25-year-old's response. Advertisement "I love his cool head, that's exactly the attitude that we need," one person said. "No fear going into a huge series." "Love the attitude on that beast," another said. "Cool as a cucumber," another said. "Love this kid man," another said. "Too ripped and handsome to be thinking too much," another said. "Hope they don't trade him," another pleaded. Right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer (0-0, 5.63 ERA) will start on Monday for the Blue Jays against New York Yankees southpaw Carlos Rodon (9-5, 2.92 ERA). This will be Scherzer's third start of the year after rehabbing a thumb injury. Related: Blue Jays Fans Excited With Decision After Red Sox Game Related: Fans Upset After Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Announcement on Friday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
an hour ago
D. Wayne Lukas death: Horse racing pays tribute to Hall of Fame trainer
___ 'To borrow from the great writer Joe Hirsch: There once was a trainer named D. Wayne Lukas, but only once.' — Larry Collmus, race caller for NBC's Triple Crown coverage, via X. ___ 'Few people have left as profound a mark on the sport of horse racing as D. Wayne Lukas. Over nearly five decades, he shaped champions on the track and in the breeding shed — and mentored generations of horsemen and horsewomen who carry his legacy forward.' — Spendthrift Farm via X. ___ 'We are heartbroken but also are tremendously grateful that horse racing had Wayne for as long as we did and were able to benefit from his horsemanship, trendsetting, charismatic way of creating new fans as well as his friendship and mentorship for so many of us.' — Dale Romans, trainer and president of the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association, in a statement. ___ 'Growing up, D. Wayne Lukas was a towering figure. He owned the Triple Crown series and his '99 near-miss with Charismatic remains a cherished memory. Cheering him on as the years passed and he refused to quit and seemed instead to defy time has been a joy. RIP to a true legend.' — Steve Kornacki, NBC Sports contributor, via X. 'His impact at Keeneland — where he was a presence for nearly 50 years -– is not likely to be seen again. Since buying his first horse here in 1977, he influenced yearling sales through his emphasis on conformation and body type while affecting the way horses were bred and prepped to produce yearlings that would appeal to him.' — Shannon Arvin, president and CEO of Keeneland Race Course, in a statement. ___ "It is hard to imagine Thoroughbred racing without the presence of D. Wayne Lukas. His passion for the sport was unparalleled, and his legacy will live on in the Champions he trained and the numerous men and women he mentored along the way. His horsemanship reshaped the sport, and his impact will be felt for generations to come. If there's a Mount Rushmore of horse trainers, D. Wayne Lukas is on it.' — National Thoroughbred Racing Association in a statement. ___ 'Not only did Wayne leave his mark on the Breeders' Cup and the sport of Thoroughbred racing with his innovative training approach, but his legacy continues through the many horsemen who came up under his astute guidance before finding tremendous success on their own. The dedication, discipline, passion, and insight with which he ran his operation will serve as an inspiration for many generations.' — Breeders' Cup Ltd. via X. ___ 'A truly transformational figure, it is fitting that Wayne's fulltime foray into Thoroughbred racing began in 1977 with a Santa Anita Park winner named Current Concept, as his successful training concept set a course for generations of horsemen and women who sprouted from the Lukas training tree. His on-track success was such that it was easy to overlook his outstanding horsemanship that we were lucky to often witness back at his barn, away from the spotlight.' — Santa Anita Park in a statement.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Tarik Skubal put American League on notice in Sunday Night Baseball debut
Tarik Skubal put American League on notice in Sunday Night Baseball debut originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Tarik Skubal met the moment. On a night when the Detroit Tigers hosted their first Sunday Night Baseball game since 2017, the 2024 Cy Young winner fed off the standing-room only crowd at Comerica Park and abused the Twins hitters he faced. Advertisement As ESPN's Buster Olney noted, Skubal went into Sunday night's game against Minnesota with 32% of the pitches he has thrown this season resulting in called or swinging strikes. That's the best in Major League Baseball. But with the baseball world watching Sunday night, Skubal took it to another level. Under the lights and with no other game in the league to watch, Skubal was nasty. An unbelievable 45% of his pitches against the Twins were either called or swinging strikes, a staggering number that highlights his dominance. Skubal was nearly flawless on the mound. He threw seven innings of one-hit baseball, walking one and completely shutting down Minnesota's lineup for most of the game. Skubal also tied his career high with 13 strikeouts, further underscoring his status as one of the premier strikeout pitchers in the game. Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal faces the Minnesota Twins on June 29, 2025, at Comerica Park. © Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images His final pitch of the night was clocked at 100 miles per hour. Advertisement His performance was nothing short of spectacular and proved why he's considered the best pitcher in the game right now. While some can feel the Sunday Night game is an inconvenience, Skubal was clearly excited about it. It was his first appearance on Sunday Night Baseball, and the Tigers' first time hosting the national broadcast since 2017. Skubal's ability to generate strikes with both precision and power is what sets him apart. For Skubal, Sunday's game wasn't just about racking up the strikeouts; it sent a message to the rest of baseball. He and the Tigers are the team to beat in the American League. Advertisement Related: Tigers Fans Have Waited Eight Years for a Night Like This at Comerica Related: Is This Power Hitter the Missing Piece for Detroit's Postseason Push? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
