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Shohei Ohtani smashes MULTIPLE records in MLB All-Star Game after insane three-run homer... before NL blow lead in defeat to AL

4 months ago 23

By Jake Nisse and Ap

Published: 04:04 BST, 17 July 2024 | Updated: 04:52 BST, 17 July 2024

Shohei Ohtani blasted a three-run home run and made All-Star Game history on Tuesday night, but his NL squad ultimately fell 5-3 to the AL.

Ohtani's three-run homer in the top of the third inning flew 400 feet, and made him the first player in MLB history to hit a home run and earn a win as a pitcher (he did so back in 2021) in their career.

Per the MLB, he's also the first Dodgers player to hit a home run in the All-Star Game since Mike Piazza in 1996. 


And Opta added that Ohtani, who finished the game with three RBI and a walk, is the only player in All-Star Game history to account for all of his team's walks and RBI in an All-Star Game. 

A four-time All-Star playing 11 days after his 30th birthday, Ohtani was with the NL for the first time after leaving the Los Angeles Angels to sign a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting a three-run home run in the third inning on Tuesday

Ohtani's home run traveled 400 feet but ultimately proved to be the NL's only offense

Ohtani was the first two-way All-Star for three straight years through 2023 and got the win in the 2021 game at Denver's Coors Field when he retired Fernando Tatis Jr., Max Muncy and Nolan Arenado in the first inning. He is not pitching this season following elbow surgery last September .

Ultimately, Ohtani's bomb proved to be the NL's only scoring offense on the night as their AL opponents fought back to score five runs unanswered.

In the bottom of the third inning, Yankees star Juan Soto hit a two-run double, before he scored from a David Fry single afterwards in the same inning.

Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran later hit a two-run home run to give the AL a 5-3 that they'd ultimately hold on to.

He was later awarded the game's MVP award, making him the first Red Sox player to snag the honor since J.D. Drew in 2008.

Nonetheless, it wasn't the most offensively prolific night on either side as Ohtani was the only NL player to register an RBI, while the AL notched just five hits despite their win. 

Yankees star Juan Soto was all smiles before he went on to star in the AL's victory on Tuesday

Meanwhile, Bryce Harper looked deflated after flying out in the top of the sixth inning

Of note, Yankees star Aaron Judge went 0-for-2 at the plate, while Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper went 1-of-3 for the NL squad. 

The Athletics' Mason Miller was credited with the win while Emmanuel Clase got the save for the AL.

Aside from the game itself, the teams' uniforms drew attention as MLB once again outfitted the All-Star squads in special jerseys, rather than the previous tradition of players donning their respective club's uniform.

Club uniforms were used by the American League from 1933-2019 and by the National League from 1934-2019. 

AL left fielder Jarren Duran of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with the MVP trophy

When the game resumed in 2021 following the pandemic-related cancellation in 2020, MLB had started a uniform contract with Nike and Fanatics, and All-Stars were outfitted in specially designed league uniforms that drew criticism from traditionalists.

This year's AL uniforms had a sandy base with red sleeves and lettering and the NL had a navy base with light blue sleeves and lettering.

Commissioner Rob Manfred told the Baseball Writers' Association of America that the league will consider going back to having players wear their team uniforms for the All-Star Game.

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