Ohtani Hits 46th Homer to Match Career High; Dodgers Top Guardians 4-0

In a day marked by record-breaking temperatures, Shohei Ohtani showcased his extraordinary talent, hitting his 46th home run of the season. This achievement tied his career high, while Jack Flaherty excelled on the mound, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 4-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday.

The game’s first pitch took place amidst a scorching temperature of 103 degrees, equaling the highest recorded at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani’s impressive 450-foot solo shot down the right field line came in the fifth inning. The play was close enough to warrant a review to confirm the ball’s fairness.

With this home run, Ohtani matched the 46 homers he hit during his unanimous American League MVP season in 2021 while playing for the Los Angeles Angels. He is also aiming for a historic milestone, seeking to become the first player in Major League Baseball history to record a 50-home run and 50-stolen base season.

“I’m trying to be less cognizant of it and moreso just focusing on having good feel at the plate,” Ohtani remarked through an interpreter. “Whenever possible during the game, whether that be stealing bases or moving to the next base, that’s what I’m aiming to do.”

Flaherty contributed to the win with an impressive performance, pitching 7 1/3 innings, striking out six batters and allowing just four hits. Since joining the Dodgers as part of a trade with Detroit, Flaherty has posted a record of 5-1. He mentioned feeling unwell in the previous week but seamlessly transitioned back into form.

“It was fun to tackle different elements like that, whether it’s really cold or really hot,” Flaherty stated. “It was just another challenge. You need a little preparation for it, making sure you’re moving and staying hydrated. I’m pretty sure everyone else was hotter than I was out there.”

Max Muncy also added to the scoreboard, hitting his 12th homer of the season in the eighth inning, despite facing an injury-shortened campaign this year.

Reflecting on the sweltering conditions, it’s notable that 103 degrees was also the temperature during the first pitch of the 2017 World Series against the Houston Astros. In light of the heat, the Dodgers made water vouchers available to all fans to ensure their well-being.

Ohtani finished the game with two hits in four at-bats, although he faced a setback by getting picked off first base in the third inning.

In the fourth inning, Mookie Betts’ stand-up triple highlighted the Dodgers’ offensive efforts. Tyler Freeman made an attempt at a leaping catch, but the ball bounced off the wall, allowing Will Smith to drive him in with a single, giving the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.

Tanner Bibee, the Guardians’ pitcher, also from Southern California, allowed two earned runs over five innings. He commented on his performance by saying, “I feel like I threw really well, to be honest, but the score doesn’t really reflect that.”

Muncy’s performance extended beyond his homerun; he also made an eye-catching play when he leaped to snatch a line drive off the bat of Josh Naylor during the fourth inning. This moment prompted some lighthearted teasing from his teammates, as well as from manager Dave Roberts.

Roberts shared an inside joke with Muncy related to basketball, saying, “Muncy swears he can dunk a basketball. I told him I believe he can dunk a basketball now. He got up there pretty well.”

In injury news, Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone is facing right shoulder inflammation and will refrain from throwing for ten days. According to manager Dave Roberts, his status for the postseason appears uncertain, especially with only 19 games remaining in the regular season.

On the other side, the Guardians have scheduled right-hander Ben Lively to start a game against the White Sox in Chicago. Meanwhile, Dodgers’ right-hander Walker Buehler is set to take the mound at home against the Cubs in their next matchup.