Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, scoring his new team's decisive final run with a seventh-inning solo shot in a 5-4 win over the San Francisco Giants.
Ohtani belted Taylor Rogers' 3-1 sinker over the right-center field fence with two outs at Dodger Stadium. The shot in his ninth game as a Dodger ended his longest home run drought at the start of a season in his seven-year MLB career.
The 29-year-old, who joined the Dodgers on a record 10-year, $700 million contract during the offseason, has moved within three home runs of tying Hideki Matsui's Japanese career MLB home run record of 175.
"I'd felt I hadn't hit one for quite a long time. I'm relieved to get the first one," Ohtani said. "I kept hoping to hit one quickly and gradually moved farther away from having good at-bats. I hope to use this as a turning point so I can continue having my kind of at-bats."
"Eventually, the game ended 5-4, and the run got us the win. It was a positive to hit one at a good time for us late in the game."
Ohtani became the first Japanese to win a home run title in the big leagues after leading the American League with 44 playing for the Los Angeles Angels last year.
Ohtani became MLB's first two-time unanimous MVP in 2023 after also posting a 10-5 record and a 3.14 ERA as a pitcher. He suffered an elbow injury in late August that will restrict him to batting this season.
On Wednesday, Ohtani went 2-for-4 after he singled off Kyle Harrison to open the bottom of the third and scored on a Will Smith one-out double to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead, which would ultimately be converted into the team's fourth straight win.
"I had felt my timing and sense of distance (to the pitcher) were off," Ohtani said. "Making sudden, forced adjustments isn't good because, in the long run, it gets you away from your own style. So, it's important to stay patient while making subtle adjustments."
"I've tried a few things in the batting cage. Coaches and batting practice pitchers are supporting me as we talk over various things, including ways to make adjustments."
Ohtani said he felt no extra pressure because he has been slumping while a number of his teammates have been red hot. After the game, he got a present from the fan who retrieved his home run ball.
"I spoke to the fan and was told I could have it back," Ohtani said. "I'm grateful as it's a very special ball for me."
In Chicago, Seiya Suzuki homered for the second straight game and recorded an MLB career-best four RBIs as the Chicago Cubs edged the Colorado Rockies 9-8 to earn a fourth win in a row.
Suzuki had a two-run single in the second before connecting on Jalen Beeks' 2-1 four-seamer for a solo shot over the left-center field at Wrigley Field for a 5-0 lead.
He singled in the sixth before reaching on a fielder's choice in the eighth as the Cubs scored the decisive ninth run.
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