Shohei Ohtani’s 3-Run Home Run and Bat Flip Against Diamondbacks Has Fans Going BONKERS on Social Media: “Greatest Player in Baseball”

Shohei Ohtani launched a 3-run go-ahead home run in the 9th inning and flipped his bat as the Dodgers took a 14-11 lead against the D-backs.

Shohei Ohtani’s 3-Run Home Run and Bat Flip Against Diamondbacks Has Fans Going BONKERS on Social Media: “Greatest Player in Baseball”

Shohei Ohtani flipped his bat after smashing a 3-run shot in the top of the 9th inning (Image via Imago/X/@MLB)

In a topsy-turvy game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Shohei Ohtani once again came up clutch. The Japanese international launched a 3-run go-ahead home run in the 9th inning and flipped his bat, leading to fans going bonkers on social media.

The matchup between the two National League West teams on Friday night turned out to be a run fest. After the Dodgers scored 5 runs in the third inning to take an 8-3 lead, it seemed they would run away with another win.

The Diamondbacks then scripted a comeback. With the team 8-4 down in the 5th inning, Loudres Gurriel Jr. tied the game with a two-out grand slam against Anthony Banda. The D-backs took a 9-8 lead in the 6th inning and extended it to 11-8 with solo home runs from Ketel Marte and Randal Grichuk in the 8th inning.

Two RBI doubles from Andy Pages and Kike Hernandez along with a base hit from Max Muncy tied the game at 11-11 for the Dodgers in the 9th inning. The Dodgers then filled up the 1st and 2nd bases for Shohei Ohtani.

The reigning National League MVP connected on an 81 mph pitch and sent the ball flying into the right field. After smashing this shot, he proceeded to flip his bat in celebration as the Dodgers took a 14-11 lead with their 6th run of the inning.

The 3-run bomb from Ohtani turned out to be the difference maker as the D-backs were unable to score in the bottom of the 9th inning.

Social media reaction towards Shohei Ohtani’s home run and celebration

Shohei Ohtani once again stole the spotlight on Friday night. His 3-run home run against Ryan Thompson turned out as the game-winning moment for the Los Angeles Dodgers against one of their division rivals.

Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani (Image via X/@truebluela)

Fans on social media were left hyped up after the heroics of the 30-year-old star. Several users on X praised him for his performance while celebrating this moment. One user wrote, “Greatest player in baseball” while reacting to this.

Check out that and some top reactions from X regarding this highlight moment from Ohtani below:

This home run turned out to be Ohtani’s 12th home run of the year. He is now batting with a .304 batting average and has 20 RBI, 8 doubles, 4 triples, and 10 stolen bases this year so far.

Last season, he founded the 50-50 club and finished the regular season with 54 home runs and 58 stolen bases, which later earned him the National League MVP crown.

Shohei Ohtani comments on LA Dodgers’ epic 9th inning comeback against D-backs

After the Arizona Diamondbacks took an 11-8 lead in a seesaw game on Friday, it seemed the Dodgers had finally run out of steam. The reigning World Series champions, though, were not done yet. They produced an epic comeback in the 9th inning with Shohei Ohtani‘s 3-run home run being the highlight reel.

Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

Following the game, Ohtani was asked about his feelings regarding the team’s comeback in the 9th inning. While speaking with Kirsten Watson of Sportsnet LA, the 2-way star expressed that the Dodgers wanted to show the others teams that they are capable of pulling such comebacks as well.

It was a really great inning. It’s something that we want to be able to show to other teams that we are capable of doing.

Shohei Ohtani said through his interpreter Will Ireton

The Dodgers have now won 3 of their 6 games. They are currently top of the National League West Division and are tied with the Detroit Tigers for the best record in MLB at 26-13 after 39 games of the season.

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