Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, celebrates his victory as he runs the bases after hitting a grand slam in the ninth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles on Friday.
14:03 JST, August 24, 2024
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani joined the elite “40-40” club in the most dramatic fashion possible by hitting a game-tying grand slam for his 40th home run of the season in a 7-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday at Dodger Stadium.
Earlier in the game, Ohtani recorded his 40th stolen base. The home run in his fifth trip to the plate makes him the sixth player in Major League Baseball history to join the “40-40” club.
As a designated hitter, Ohtani batted first and reached base in the fourth inning on an infield single. One out later, he stole second base without drawing a pitch.
In the ninth inning, the Dodgers loaded the bases with two outs. Ohtani tipped Colin Poche’s first pitch just over the glove of a leaping center fielder Jose Siri for the dramatic home run.
