Shohei Ohtani blasted his 40th home run of the season on Saturday night, powering the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 9-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. The solo shot, a 417-foot drive to center off starter Chris Bassitt in the fifth inning, gave Los Angeles a three-run cushion.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised the swing afterward, saying it showcased a mechanically sound, powerful approach that Ohtani and the hitting coaches have been refining. Ohtani did not speak with reporters following the game.
Reaching 40 homers marks the fourth time in Ohtani’s career and the third straight season he has hit the milestone, a feat he has achieved while also excelling as a two-way player. He is the third player to have multiple 40-homer seasons in both the American League and National League, joining Jim Thome and Mark McGwire.
Ohtani’s 40th homer came in his 115th game, the fewest games in Dodgers history to reach the mark. With 45 regular-season games remaining, Roberts hinted that a 50-homer season is within reach for the Japanese superstar, noting that Ohtani often aims for round numbers and remains motivated.
In the clubhouse, Ohtani was not made available to the media after the game. The Dodgers rolled to the lopsided win behind the power of their star, who continues to position himself as one of the game’s most compelling players as the season progresses.