Shohei Ohtani blasts Hiroki Matsui! Hits 45 homers for the second consecutive year as Dodgers beat Padres 8-2.

In today's away game against the Padres, Dodgers' Japanese star Shohei Ohtani hit his 45th home run of the season off Hiroki Matsui in the top of the 9th inning during his fifth at-bat, once again tying for the National League home run lead.

Ohtani nailed Matsui’s fifth pitch, a four-seam fastball traveling at 94.1 mph (approximately 151.4 km/h). The ball had an exit speed of 108.9 mph (about 175.3 km/h), flew 409 feet (around 124.7 meters), and was hit at an angle of 28 degrees. After giving up the homer, Matsui showed a look of frustration on his face.

After resting on August 22nd against the Rockies, Ohtani faced the National League West leaders, the Dodgers and Padres, suffering two hitless games and ending his streak of reaching base in 19 consecutive games on the 24th.

However, in the first inning, Ohtani reached base on a walk during his first at-bat, struck out swinging in his second, flew out to center field in his third, and struck out swinging again in his fourth at-bat.

This home run tied him with Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber for first place in the National League home run race and put him just four homers behind the Major League leader, Seattle’s Rowley, on pace for 55 homers this season.

Ohtani has now hit 45 homers in a single season for the third time in his career and second year in a row. Projections indicate he could reach 55 home runs this season. Achieving 50 homers in back-to-back seasons would make him only the sixth player in history to do so, joining legends like Babe Ruth.