Crazy Nights in the Desert: Ohtani Shines Bright in Dodgers' Comeback Victory
Ohtani pulls through in match versus Arizona
AP, PHOENIX, Arizona
Stroll with me, folks, down memory lane with a ball-and-glove-clad Dave Roberts. You see, he fought alongside the seven-time National League MVP – Barry Bonds. A fascinating fellow, weren't he?
Now picture old Dave's eyes light up when talking about another player. A spry, Japanese powerhouse named Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani took the MLB by storm on Friday, slamming a game-winning three-run homer during an insane Dodgers' 14-11 comeback victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
pping: AFP
"Between Barry Bonds and this Ohtani dude, I gotta say, they take the title as the two most incredible players I've ever seen," Roberts says, his voice crackling with admiration. "Playing with Barry was something, but Sho... Sho possesses a magic that I ain't seen in clutch moments. It's unmatched, it's divine."
What an evening it was in the Arizona desert! The Dodgers and Diamondbacks treated us to one of the wildest games this season. A staggering 25 runs, 26 hits, two lead implosions of at least three runs stacked up against six homers – talk about thrilling!
The playoff call? Ohtani, of course.
The versatile star, with a track record of excelling in big moments, has been a force to reckon with, both during his time with the LA Angels and his crosstown adventure with the Dodgers.
With the Dodgers rallying to tie the game at 11, Ohtani stepped into the plate after striking out Ryan Thompson with runners on first and second. Thompson, in the unenviable position of facing a beast in Ohtani, left a breaking ball towards the inner corner. Ohtani pounced promptly on the ball and obliterated it deep into the right field seats for his 12th homerun of the season.
A celebration as fervent as Arizona's Lourdes Gurriel Jr after his tying grand slam in the 5th – emotions were in the red.
Ohtani started the rollercoaster ride with a 423-foot double off the center field wall in the opening frames. Not even the toughest defense could hinder that 107.9 mph beast!
But even Arizona had their day in the sun, thanks to homers from Ketel Marte (twice), Eugenio Suarez, and a grand slam from Lourdes Gurriel Jr in the 5th.
Seemingly in the bag at 11-8, Arizona brought out Kevin Ginkel for the 9th. Chalk it up to bad luck, but he didn't fare so well.
Freddie Freeman led off with a punch single through the flimsy left-side defense, followed by a double from Andy Pages. Ooh, the pressure was mounting. Max Muncy stepped up to the plate for an RBI single, tying the game at 11.
With two runners on and one out, it was Ohtani's time to step up again.
"Whenever Sho finds himself in those clutch situations, you just expect the extraordinary," Muncy share with a knowing smile. "He almost never fails to deliver, and that's no exception here."
A truly emotional night was wrapped up in a spectacular performance – the sheer madness of it all, you just can't make this stuff up!
- In contrast to his experiences with Barry Bonds, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts finds Shohei Ohtani's performance in clutch moments to be "unmatched, it's divine."
- During the Dodgers' comeback victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Ohtani added another game-winning homerun to his impressive repertoire, lifting the team to a 14-11 win.
- Ohtani's ability to excel in critical moments has earned him a reputation as a force to be reckoned with, both during his time with the Angels and now with the Dodgers.
- On Friday night, another incredible chapter was written in the story of Ohtani's storied baseball career, a performance that will not soon be forgotten by those who witnessed it.
