DENVER — Shohei Ohtani continues to re-write the report e book amongst his countrymen.
Together with his 57th stolen base of the season within the second inning of the Dodgers’ 11-4 win over the Rockies on Friday evening at Coors Subject, Ohtani surpassed Ichiro Suzuki for probably the most stolen bases in a single season by a Japanese-born participant. Ichiro set the earlier mark of 56 in his rookie season in 2001.
“He’s anyone I like and look as much as,” Ohtani mentioned by interpreter Will Ireton after matching Ichiro earlier this week.
Los Angeles (96-64) additionally moved nearer to incomes the No. 1 seed and home-field benefit by the World Collection as Philadelphia (94-66) misplaced to Washington. The Dodgers want only one extra win or one Phillies loss to clinch home-field benefit. Philadelphia holds the tiebreaker over Los Angeles.
“Makes it look straightforward, huh?” utility man Chris Taylor mentioned of Ohtani. “He’s been in a zone. It’s been enjoyable to look at. I believe we’re all simply in awe watching him proceed his historic season.”
In what has was the very best offensive season of his profession, Ohtani has set fairly a couple of information amongst Japanese-born gamers. He handed supervisor Dave Roberts for probably the most homers and stolen bases recorded in a single season by a Japanese participant in franchise historical past.
Ohtani additionally handed his childhood idol, Hideki Matsui, for many profession homers by a Japanese-born participant. The 2-way Japanese famous person continues to be solely getting into his peak seasons. By the top of his profession, Ohtani may declare nearly each report by Japanese-born gamers.
As he continues to interrupt information, Ohtani additionally has his sights set on a possible Triple Crown. After hammering his 54th homer of the season on Friday and getting his RBI rely to 130, Ohtani will end atop the NL in each of these classes.
Arraez, who got here into Friday’s video games with a .312 common, now stands at .314 after going 3-for-5 within the Padres’ win over the D-backs. Ohtani, then again, was at .305. However after a 4-for-5 evening, Ohtani’s batting common is now .309, placing him inside placing distance with two video games left within the common season.
“Shohei, man, he placed on a present tonight,” Roberts mentioned. “Even wanting up there tonight, he’s closing in on 200 hits. Something that’s attainable, I believe is on his radar.”
Roberts added that Ohtani might be within the Dodgers’ lineup all three video games in opposition to the Rockies, giving the two-way famous person each alternative to proceed so as to add to his historic offensive season.
“He’s had an amazing season,” Roberts mentioned. “While you get to the one-yard line on sure statistics, whether or not it’s a possible Triple Crown, a 60-60, no matter it is perhaps, stealing 60 bases, you need to attempt to get there as greatest you’ll be able to.”
