Shohei Ohtani hit a three-run homer and made All-Star history Tuesday night, but his National League team ultimately fell 5-3 to the American League.
Ohtani’s three-run homer in the top of the third inning flew 400 feet and made him the first player in MLB history to hit a home run and earn a win as a pitcher (he did so in 2021) in his career.
According to MLB, he is also the first Dodgers player to hit a home run in the All-Star Game since Mike Piazza in 1996.
And Opt aggregate that Ohtani, who finished the game with three RBIs and one walk, is the only player in All-Star history to be responsible for all of his team’s walks and RBIs in an All-Star Game.
Ohtani, a four-time All-Star who was playing 11 days after his 30th birthday, was with the National League for the first time after leaving the Los Angeles Angels to sign a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting a three-run homer in the third inning on Tuesday
Ohtani’s homer traveled 400 feet, but ultimately proved to be the National League’s only offense
Ohtani was the first two-way All-Star to make three consecutive years through 2023 and earned the win in the 2021 game at Denver’s Coors Field when he retired Fernando Tatis Jr., Max Muncy and Nolan Arenado in the first inning. He will not pitch this season following elbow surgery last September.
In the end, Ohtani’s blast proved to be the NL’s only scoring offense of the night, while their American League opponents fought back to score five unanswered runs.
In the bottom of the third inning, Yankees star Juan Soto hit a two-run double before scoring on David Fry’s single later in the inning.
Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran then hit a two-run homer to give the American League a 5-3 lead that they would eventually hold.
He later received the game’s Most Valuable Player award, becoming the first Red Sox player to earn that honor since J.D. Drew in 2008.
Yankees star Juan Soto was all smiles before leading the American League in a victory on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Bryce Harper looked dejected after flying out in the top of the sixth inning.
It wasn’t the most prolific night offensively for either team, though, as Ohtani was the only NL player to record an RBI, while the AL managed just five hits despite their win.
Of note, Yankees star Aaron Judge went 0-for-2 at the plate, while Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper went 1-for-3 for the National League team.
The Athletics’ Mason Miller was credited with the win while Emmanuel Clase earned the save for the American League.
More to follow
