In the Korean derby featuring Lee Jung-hoo (27, San Francisco Giants) and Kim Hye-sung (26, Los Angeles Dodgers), Japanese hitter Shohei Ohtani (31, Dodgers) achieved a significant milestone. He exploded with multiple home runs, becoming the first Asian player to reach a total of 250 home runs in Major League Baseball.

On the 15th (Korea time), Ohtani started as the designated hitter in the home game against San Francisco in 2025 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, hitting a solo home run in his first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning, followed by another solo home run in the sixth inning to complete the multi-home run feat.

In this game, which garnered attention due to the Korean derby between Lee Jung-hoo and Kim Hye-sung, Ohtani opened the scoring with a home run from the start.

In his first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning, Ohtani hit a cutter thrown by San Francisco right-handed starter Randon Loops on the fourth pitch, clocked at 90.7 mph (146.0 km/h), over the right-center fence. The line drive, at a speed of 110.3 mph (177.5 km/h) and an angle of 27 degrees, traveled a distance of 419 feet (127.7 m) for his 24th home run of the season. This marked his first home run since the game against the New York Mets on the 3rd, after 12 days and 11 games.

Then, in the bottom of the second inning, with one out and runners on second and third, Ohtani walked to first base on an automatic intentional walk and again reached base with a straight walk with two outs.

In his fourth at-bat in the bottom of the sixth inning, Ohtani hit another home run. Facing right-handed pitcher Tristan Beck in a full count, he connected on the sixth pitch, a curveball coming in at 77.7 mph (125.0 km/h), and decorated it with a solo shot to right field. The home run traveled a distance of 384 feet (117.0 m) at 101.2 mph (162.9 km/h) with an angle of 26 degrees, marking his 25th home run of the season.

Having played his third multi-home run game of the season, Ohtani widened the gap with Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies, 22 home runs), who is in second place in this institutional sector, by three home runs, solidifying his first position.

Additionally, Ohtani achieved a total of 250 home runs in his career. After breaking the all-time record for Asian players held by South Korean Choo Shin-soo with 218 home runs on Sept. 18 last year when he reached 219 home runs, Ohtani added 31 home runs in less than a year to become the first Asian player to reach the milestone of 250 home runs.

Ohtani, who became the first Asian home run king (44 home runs, American League) in 2023 while with the Los Angeles Angels, also achieved the National League home run king title after signing with the Dodgers as a free agent last year, surpassing 50 home runs in a season (54 home runs). This year, he is aiming for the home run king title for the third consecutive year.

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