Shohei Ohtani’s return to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup after the birth of his daughter has been highly anticipated, with some playfully speculating about the potential boost from “dad strength.” While his initial games off the paternity list saw him go 2-for-16, Ohtani delivered a standout performance in the Dodgers’ 8-4 victory over the Pirates.
Shohei Ohtani Hits Three Extra-Base Hits In Los Angeles Dodgers Win
In that game, Ohtani went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, and a stolen base. He drove in a game-tying RBI double in the seventh inning, setting the stage for subsequent home runs by Teoscar Hernández and Kiké Hernández. Ohtani also scored two runs in the game.
“It was a really good start to something that hopefully will be a good streak,” Ohtani said on SportsNet LA, through interpreter Will Ireton. “I haven’t been playing well, so it was a good night.”
Ohtani’s performance highlights his continued impact as a table-setter in the Dodgers’ lineup. He has scored 25 runs in as many games, tying for the second-most in the Majors. As Pirates starter Mitch Keller noted, “You’ve got to be locked in and ready to go from the jump… You’ve got to be able to execute right away.”
Ohtani’s return to the lineup and strong performance are significant as he continues to work towards being a two-way player again. The Dodgers are carefully managing his pitching buildup, ensuring it doesn’t detract from his contributions as the team’s everyday DH.