Shohei Ohtani faces unexpected strikeout against position player
- Shohei Ohtani had a remarkable game with two home runs and six RBIs.
- In an unusual decision, the Athletics used backup catcher Jhonny Pereda to pitch in a blowout game.
- Ohtani struck out against Pereda, creating a notable and embarrassing moment in his otherwise successful night.
On Thursday night in Los Angeles, Shohei Ohtani, the superstar player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, had a spectacular bobblehead night where he hit two home runs and drove in six runs during the game against the Oakland Athletics. This exciting match saw the Dodgers establish a significant lead early on, with the score reaching 19-2 by the eighth inning. As the game progressed, with the Athletics clearly losing, they decided to bring in backup catcher Jhonny Pereda to pitch rather than using more bullpen arms. In an unexpected and embarrassing moment for Ohtani, he faced Pereda and, despite his previous accomplishments, ended up striking out. This strikeout occurred as Pereda threw a mix of slower pitches followed by a fastball that Ohtani could not connect with, leading to one of the more surprising moments of the night. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commented on the unusual situation, highlighting the rarity of such an event in professional baseball. Furthermore, the fact that Ohtani, one of the league’s leading home run hitters, was struck out by a player whose primary job is to catch illustrates the surprising nature of sports where even the best athletes can have off moments. Following the strikeout, Pereda kept the ball as a memento, marking a unique moment in his career as a position player facing one of the game's best hitters.