Showdown with Fellow Japanese Ace Matsui — Ohtani Battled Right to the End

Early Game

Man, I'm sitting here watching the replay with a beer again, and boy was that a tough one to watch. Their starter — wait, is that Yuki Matsui?! A showdown between two Japanese guys grinding it out in the majors — that's a must-watch right there, no question. Matsui, working with a 93 mph max and 88 mph average, faced four batters including Ohtani and didn't give up a single hit, though he did issue two walks. He fought his command all day, but no-hitting that lineup is impressive — hats off to him, even as the enemy.

Ohtani's first at-bat, top of the 1st: called strikeout. Got beat by a 93.5 mph four-seamer painted right on the corner — ouch, that stung. But hey, it's the first inning, plenty of game left! Next up! In the 3rd, a flyout to right-center, 80.8 mph exit velo, 43° launch angle, 267 feet — that's way too much loft, looked like he got jammed a bit. Made me a little worried, like, is this just not his day?

Key Moments

But in the 6th, Ohtani drew a walk like the pro he is. Right when you'd expect him to be pressing after that strikeout and flyout, he laid off the borderline pitches — that's the eye, that's the Ohtani we know! Thanks for keeping that rally alive, big man.

Then bottom of the 7th, two outs, and he ground out a big one! Battled through a 100-plus mph four-seamer and even a sinker, and lined one to center — 75.4 mph exit velo, 20° launch angle, 208 feet. Not the flashiest exit velo, but he got it down in front and brought home the runner from third — a gritty, determined single. Whoa, way to grind it out, Shohei!! I actually yelled that at the TV. With Freeland's clutch hit too, the whole game started building that slow-and-steady comeback energy.

Ken-chan's Take

On the flip side, it stung hard watching Machado crush a monster shot to center — 102 mph, 25° launch angle, 407 feet. That one just makes you sigh and shake your head. Marill and Tatis chipped away too, and we took another gut punch late.

Still, the Dodgers battled to the very end. Ohtani's walk turning into a run, Freeland's knock, that never-quit attitude — it was great to watch. Gonna be cheering you on again tomorrow, Dodgers! Shohei, next game, bring it for today too, buddy!