It’s been a long time coming. Well, it’s been months coming.
During Game 4 of a Los Angeles Dodgers “win-or-go-home” NLCS match up against the Milwaukee Brewers, designated hitter Shohei Ohtani added three runs during the bottom of the second, putting L.A. 0-4, with a 428-foot home run.
This emotional homer not only drew tears from the home crowd, but also helped spark Ohtani’s mood as he roared to fans as he crossed the bases. The fans were so loud, one could barely hear color commentators.
Ohtani read pitcher Dustin May and knocked his down-and-in cutter like it was nothing.
This comes after the Dodgers moved Ohtani to the leadoff spot – where he had been during the regular season — after placing him sixth in the lineup for Game 3, where L.A. lost 6-2.
The pitcher had been struggling with nagging injuries which had deeply affected his swing as designated hitter at the plate, making him appear almost “ordinary,” the New York Times reported. But on Thursday, he looked like his regular superstar self after nailing his first home run since August 18, MLB analyst Jeff Passan reported.
Ohtani has been dealing with knee, biceps and neck injuries since September when the Dodgers placed him on the injured list. Before the home run, he was batting .182 (4 for 22) with seven strikeouts.
The Dodgers are 0-3 in the series so Ohtani getting back his spark is an essential tool needed to give fans a sliver of hope.