Shohei Ohtani hit a two-run homer and scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied from losing a 3-0 lead to beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-3 on Friday night.
Earlier, the Los Angeles city council declared May 17 as Shohei Ohtani Day for as long as the Japanese two-way star plays for the Dodgers. He signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract in December.
Ohtani rebounded after going hitless in two at-bats on his first bobblehead night Thursday. The event caused traffic jams outside Dodger Stadium and long lines of fans eager for one of the 40,000 souvenirs, some of which were quickly sold online at high prices.
“He didn’t homer on his bobblehead day, so he was due,” manager Dave Roberts said. “That was a ball down below the zone or at the knees and to hit it the other way, spin it really well, a big hit. We just marvel at what he does.”
Ohtani’s 30 extra-base hits are tied with former Dodger and Hall of Famer Duke Snider for the most in the team’s first 47 games. Ohtani and teammate Mookie Betts are the only players in the majors with over 100 total bases this season.
Tied at 3, Will Smith singled in Ohtani, who had reached second on a fielder’s choice and a throwing error by shortstop Elly De La Cruz. The Dodgers went up 5-3 when Freddie Freeman scored on a wild pitch by Fernando Cruz (1-5) that went to the backstop.
Just back from the injured list, Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer in the eighth, making the score 7-3. “Awesome to be back out there. I’ll never take it for granted,” he said. “I hate missing games.”
Michael Grove (2-2) earned the win with one inning of relief. Mookie Betts homered to start the bottom of the first for the Dodgers, helping them avoid their second three-game losing streak of the season.
Ohtani hit his 13th homer of the season to straightaway left field in the third.
“The ball comes off hot, but when he goes to left field the right way, he spins the ball the right way and that’s why there’s more carry as well,” Roberts said. “When he takes a good swing on a ball the other way, I’m not surprised it goes out.”
