Tuesday’s game at PNC Park witnessed another remarkable achievement by Shohei Ohtani.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ celebrated player launched a solo home run during the third inning of their 9-7 defeat against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The ball sailed over the right-field barrier in Pittsburgh, reaching an astounding speed of 120 miles per hour off the bat.
That resulted in the fastest-hit ball for the Dodgers during the Statcast era and ranks among the most forcefully struck home runs in MLB history.
In the Statcast era, beginning in 2015, only five other home runs have surpassed that speed. Oneil Cruz, a Pirates player, currently holds the record at 122.9 mph, achieved earlier this season.
Adding to Ohtani’s accomplishments, the home run was launched off a 99.2-mph fastball thrown by Bubba Chandler. According to MLB’s David Adler, this marks the fastest-hit home run off a pitch exceeding 99 mph in the Statcast era, surpassing the previous record established by New York Yankees star Aaron Judge earlier this season.
The home run marked Ohtani’s 46th of the season, placing him behind only Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber and Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh in MLB standings. Furthermore, it signified Ohtani’s 100th career homer with the Dodgers, achieved before completing his second season with the team. Ohtani tallied 54 home runs last season.
Ohtani was in the lineup as the designated hitter on Tuesday, continuing his progression toward full strength on the pitcher’s mound. He pitched for five innings on Wednesday during the team’s 5-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, marking his most extended pitching appearance since joining the Dodgers. He is slated to make his next start in the Dodgers’ contest against the Pirates on Wednesday.
Ohtani’s home run in the third inning on Tuesday reduced the Pirates’ lead to two runs at that time, and the team eventually leveled the score after the fourth inning. However, the Pirates regained the lead by scoring three runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by an RBI single from Henry Davis and a two-RBI double from Jared Triolo. Combined with additional RBIs from Triolo and Cruz, this proved sufficient to secure the Pirates’ two-run victory.
Presently, the Pirates hold a record of 62-77, placing them at the bottom of the NL Central standings. They are significantly behind in the wild-card race as well and are on track to miss the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season. Following the defeat, the Dodgers’ record stands at 77-60, although they still maintain a slight lead over the San Diego Padres in the NL West.
