Shohei Ohtani (31, Los Angeles Dodgers) opened the game with a home run again. This marks his 8th leadoff home run in the first inning.
On the 28th (Korea time), Ohtani started as the designated hitter in an away game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, in the 2025 Major League Baseball season, hitting a home run from his first at-bat in the first inning.
Facing Kansas City left-handed starter Noah Cameron, he hit a change-up at 78.1 mph (125.7 km/h) on the 4th pitch with a ball count of 1-2, sending it soaring over the right-center field wall.
It was a solo shot that traveled 429 feet (130.8 m) at a speed of 110.4 mph (177.7 km/h) and an angle of 35 degrees.
Following the previous day's (27th) game against the Kansas City Royals, Ohtani hit home runs in back-to-back games, bringing his total to 4 in the last 5 games and marking his 29th home run of the season. He extended his lead to 4 over Eugenio Suárez (Arizona Diamondbacks, 25) and solidified his position as the National League (NL) home run leader.
This was also his 8th leadoff home run of the season. Since becoming the leadoff hitter on June 18 last year against the Colorado Rockies, Ohtani has hit 6 leadoff home runs, and he has already hit 8 leadoff home runs this year as a full-time leadoff hitter.
The all-time record for most leadoff home runs in a season is 15, set by Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies) last year. At this point in the season, he is on pace for 15.6 home runs. If anyone can surpass Schwarber's record, it would be the record-setting Ohtani.
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