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Dave Roberts drops scary Shohei Ohtani take after breaking Ichiro Suzuki’s record
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- Dave Roberts drops scary Shohei Ohtani take after breaking Ichiro Suzuki’s record
Dave Roberts drops scary Shohei Ohtani take after breaking Ichiro Suzuki's record appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Los Angeles Dodgers ' Shohei Ohtani continues to rewrite the record book . Just a few days after tying fellow Japanese sensation Ichiro Suzuki for the longest on-base streak for a Japanese player, Ohtani took the crown.
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Against the Texas Rangers , Ohtani got on base for the 44th straight game with a single in the 5th inning. In the process, the Dodgers won 8-7 as Ohtani went 1-for-4 with an intentional walk.
Nevertheless, manager Dave Roberts noticed something felt off , per ESPN/Associated Press.
"He's taking walks, he's getting hits, and he really hasn't got going yet," Roberts said.
In the 8th inning, Ohtani was intentionally walked with runners on base. For Roberts, he recognized Ohtani's smarts at the plate when knowing what he's up against.
"Players like to hit, they like to swing the bat, but he's smart enough to know that if they're not going to pitch to him, they're going to pitch around him, then it's a better plan to take the walk," Roberts said.
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At the same time, he wished that he had let one fly on what was Shohei Ohtani bobblehead night.
"I thought he was going to hit a home run tonight," Roberts said, "and I think he wanted a home run tonight on his bobblehead night, but it just wasn't to be."
In 2024, Ohtani surpassed Ichiro's record of 56 stolen bases by a Japanese player with 59.
The two-time defending champions are 10-3 to start the season. Meanwhile, Ohtani is batting .265 with 13 hits, three home runs, and eight RBIs.
Related: What Dodgers' Max Muncy said about 3-HR game, including walk-off bomb
Related: Dodgers' Max Muncy walks off Rangers to cap off 3-home run game
