Shohei Ohtani crushed a 400-foot home run on his first All-Star appearance for the National League team, but couldn’t prevent the American League taking the spoils in the mid-summer classic.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ $700m man walked in his first at bat as a designated hitter before homering in his second time at the plate at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, sending a splitter from Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck into the right-field seats for a three-run shot in the third inning.
Star of the Sho. #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/pIHIg4YIdq
— MLB (@MLB) July 17, 2024
In his previous three appearances at the All-Star Game, which came during his stint with the LA Angels of the American League, he was batting only 1-4 with two walks and a strikeout.
The multi-talented 30-year-old did earn the win as a pitcher for the American League in 2021 and is now the only player to have done so, in addition to hitting a home run, in MLB history.
After the game he admitted: “In general I haven’t really hit well during the All-Star Game. I was just relieved that I put a ball in play.”
Incredibly the Japanese sensation became the first Dodger to touch ‘em all in the showcase event since Mike Piazza did so 28 years ago.
Ohtani’s night did go downhill from there, however, as he was struck out swinging on three strikes by Oakland A’s flame-thrower Mason Miller in his final at bat in the fifth inning. Miller went on to throw the fastest ever All-Star Game pitch, clocked at 103.6mph to Trea Turner.
The American League also rallied from 3-0 down to take a 5-3 win, despite a strong outing from Pittsburgh Pirates rookie starting pitcher Paul Skenes.
First New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto cracked a two-run double and then scored the tying run off a pinch-hit single from Cleveland’s David Fry, then Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran claimed MVP honours after smashing a two-run go-ahead home run in the fifth inning to give them a lead they never gave up.
Jarren Duran homers to make it 5 unanswered runs for the AL squad! #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/jRiI8d8EfE
— MLB (@MLB) July 17, 2024
It was a 10th win in 11 All-Star Games for the American League side who lost to the National League last year to end a nine-year skid.
