Los Angeles – You couldn’t script it better. On a night celebrating his historic 2024 season with a bobblehead giveaway, Shohei Ohtani delivered a thunderous encore. The Dodgers’ superstar slugged two home runs and drove in six runs Thursday night, leading Los Angeles to a decisive 19-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics.
The Dodger Stadium crowd, already buzzing with bobblehead fever, witnessed Ohtani’s power firsthand. In the third inning, he launched a three-run shot to left-center. An inning later, he followed up with a towering two-run blast to center field. These were his 14th and 15th homers of the season, vaulting him into a tie for the MLB lead.
This marks the third consecutive bobblehead night where Ohtani has homered, turning promotional evenings into personal showcases of his extraordinary talent. While a stolen base didn’t accompany the long balls, the power display was a stark reminder of his offensive prowess.
“It’s just every night with him,” teammate Max Muncy said, marveling at Ohtani’s consistent brilliance.
The Dodgers’ offense was relentless, setting a franchise record for runs against an American League opponent. Every starter recorded a hit, but Ohtani’s performance was the undeniable catalyst. His six RBIs were a season-high, underscoring his pivotal role in the Dodgers’ lineup. He also leads the majors in runs scored with 48.
While Ohtani did strike out against Oakland’s position-player-turned-pitcher in the late innings – a humorous footnote to an otherwise dominant night – it did little to dampen his impact. This performance builds upon his MVP-caliber 2024 season, where he combined prodigious power with surprising speed.
The Dodgers, now boasting the best home record in the majors (17-4) and riding a six-series winning streak, continue to look like a formidable force. And with Shohei Ohtani at the heart of their offense, every night holds the potential for another unforgettable chapter in his burgeoning legend.
