Shohei Ohtani achieved another milestone in his unprecedented career on Friday, launching his first-ever “splash hit” into San Francisco Bay.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star connected on a first-pitch cutter from Giants All-Star Logan Webb, sending the ball 410 feet to right field with an exit velocity of 106 mph. The home run prompted a kayaker to leap from their vessel to retrieve the ball from the water.
The blast marked the 10th splash hit in Oracle Park’s history and the first by a Dodgers player since Max Muncy accomplished the feat in 2021.
Ohtani’s home run provided a much-needed spark for the Dodgers, who entered the game on a six-game losing streak. The slump had diminished the team’s once nine-game lead in the NL West to just five games over the past week.
The homer adds to Ohtani’s strong case for a fourth career MVP award, as he leads the National League in home runs while continuing his gradual return to pitching. He is slated to make his fifth start of the season on Saturday, just ahead of his sixth All-Star Game appearance on Tuesday.
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