LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani hit a walk-off grand slam, becoming the Dodgers' first member of the 40-home run/40 stolen base club, they defeated the Rays, 7-3 on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.
Ohtani became the sixth player in MLB history to reach that milestone.
Shohei Ohtani joins the 40-40 club with a walk-off GRAND SLAM! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/GCrFjaC1iG
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 24, 2024
Reliever Colin Poche entered the game and walked Max Muncy, setting up Ohtani's 389-foot grand slam to center field. No player has ever reached 45/45 and with one month remaining Ohtani has a very good chance of doing so.
Shohei Ohtani becomes the fastest player to reach the 40-40 club:
— Fredo Cervantes (@FredoCervantes) August 24, 2024
2024 Shohei Ohtani: 126
2006 Alfonso Soriano: 147
1988 Jose Canseco: 151
2023 Ronald Acuña Jr.: 152
1998 Alex Rodriguez: 153
1996 Barry Bonds: 158
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Ohtani reached base with an infield single in the fourth inning, extending his hitting streak to seven games. He also stole his 40th base, marking a career-high.
In both his 2021 and 2023 MVP seasons with the Angels, Ohtani hit more than 40 home runs, but despite his achievements, the 30-year-old has never stolen more than 26 bases.
That's 40 stolen bases for Shohei Ohtani! pic.twitter.com/mVOURPmD2a
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 24, 2024
Kiké Hernández, filling in for the hot-hitting Max Muncy at third base, smashed a game-tying three-run homer in the fifth inning, marking his eighth home run this season.
Rays left-hander Tyler Alexander allowed three runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings. He recorded one strikeout and issued two walks and gave up a home run to Hernandez, keeping him from securing the win.
Right-handed pitcher Bobby Miller had a decent start, despite allowing seven hits and three earned runs over six innings. He settled in after a rocky start, striking out nine batters on 96 pitches.
Miller gave up a solo home run to Junior Caminero in the first inning and then allowed a two-run home run to Christopher Morel, his 22nd of the season.
Dodgers reliever Michael Kopech entered the game in the ninth inning and struck out Jose Siri with a 101 mph fastball for the third out of the inning.
Dave Roberts discusses Bobby Miller’s performance and Shohei Ohtani joining the 40-40 club.
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 24, 2024
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The Dodgers have won 11 of the last 14 games and hold the best record in baseball (77-52). They have a four-game lead over Arizona and a 4 1/2-game lead over San Diego.
The Rays will start right-hander Taj Bradley (6-8, 3.55 ERA), who was born in Los Angeles and will make his first career start against the Dodgers in the 6:10 p.m. game Saturday. Left-hander Clayton Kershaw (2-2, 2.63) will take the mound after an impressive outing against the Cardinals.