Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers started as the leadoff hitter and designated hitter in Tuesday’s game against the San Francisco Giants (Wednesday, Japan time). In his first at-bat of the game, Ohtani managed a hard-earned single to right field, despite having his balance disrupted. The hit ended a 0-for-10 slump over three games.
Facing Giants right-hander Jordan Hicks in the first inning, Ohtani battled through a 1-2 count. On the fourth pitch, a low and outside changeup, he was thrown off balance but still managed to punch the ball through the gap between first and second base. Ohtani entered the game with a .233 batting average (34-for-146), six home runs, and 16 RBIs as a hitter in 38 games. The previous day’s game saw him go 0-for-5 with two strikeouts. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had expressed concern about Ohtani’s mindset, stating earlier, “Trying to force your way out of a slump by swinging harder is not a good mindset. I think he’s simply pressing too much.”
