Shohei Otani reached 50 major league home runs faster than any previous Japanese player on Friday, when the two-way star blasted a solo shot in the Los Angeles Angels' 7-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Ohtani cleared the bases with a two-out double in the second inning off T. J. Zeuch (0-1). He went deep in the fifth over the center-field wall for a 5-0 Angels lead with his third homer of the season. Ohtani was welcomed by a deep bow from veteran Albert Pujols at the bench.
"Frankly, I'm happy about it, but the season's just started," Ohtani said about the milestone previously reached by compatriots Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui, who needed more games. "I'll try to hit more this season (than past seasons) rather than talk about the total figure."
Matsui reached 50 home runs in his third big league season, after playing 325 games over his first two. Ohtani, in his fourth major league season was playing in his 262nd game, according to MLB.com.
The 26-year-old will not pitch this weekend because of a blister on his middle finger, but said he "should be able to pitch earlier than expected."
Ohtani, who batted over .500 in the preseason, said he was out of shape right after the start of the season following his coronavirus vaccination.
Kohei Arihara of the Texas Rangers was tagged with his first big league loss in his matchup against Joe Musgrove, who threw the first no-hitter in San Diego Padres history in their 3-0 victory.
Musgrove (2-0) fanned 10 and hit a batter during his 112-pitch history-making night at Globe Life Field. Arihara (0-1), who joined this season from Japan's Nippon Ham Fighters, allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits over four innings in his second start.
"I couldn't get ahead in the count and it became a struggle," said Arihara, who made his debut last Saturday. "I want to pitch like he (Musgrave) did. His control was just amazing."
Yoshitomo Tsutsugo had his first multi-hit game of the season, going 2-for-4, with a double, walk and two runs as the Tampa Bay Rays snapped their four-game skid with 10-5 win over the New York Yankees.
Related coverage:
Baseball: Angels come back to beat Blue Jays after Ohtani ties game
Baseball: Angels lose but Shohei Ohtani continues to roll
Baseball: Shohei Ohtani throws 92 pitches, homers in history-making night
