Dodgers’ Ohtani Smashes 1,000th Hit, Dominates Mound/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Shohei Ohtani blasted a go-ahead home run for his 1,000th career hit in MLB. He also struck out a season-high eight batters in four innings during his longest pitching outing of 2025. Despite his stellar performance, the Dodgers fell 5-3 to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Shohei Ohtani + Quick Looks
- Milestone Alert: Ohtani recorded his 1,000th MLB hit with a towering two-run homer.
- The homer traveled 440 feet to center, his 39th of the season, ending a 9-game drought.
- He also became just the third Japanese-born player to reach 1,000 hits in the MLB, joining Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui.
- On the mound, Ohtani struck out eight batters over four strong innings — his longest outing of 2025.
- He touched 100 mph on his fastball and threw 54 pitches, 37 of them for strikes.
- Ohtani gave up just two hits and one run, retiring the side in both the first and second innings.
- His outing ended after striking out the side in the fourth inning on a 90-degree day in Los Angeles.
- His return comes just a week after exiting early from a start in Cincinnati with hip cramps.
- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised his command and said he’ll remain on a five-inning pitch limit for now.
- Ohtani’s performance came a day after scoring three runs in a 12-6 win over St. Louis.
Deep Look
Shohei Ohtani Hits Career Milestone, Strikes Out 8 in Return to Form for Dodgers
LOS ANGELES – August 6, 2025
Two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani delivered a milestone moment and a pitching masterclass on Wednesday, smashing his 1,000th career MLB hit with a thunderous two-run homer, while also striking out eight batters over four innings in his most complete mound performance this season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstar achieved the feat in the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, sending a 440-foot blast to dead center field and breaking a nine-game home run drought in style.
“I thought it was a big day for me personally getting to the fourth inning. That was really good in terms of building up,” Ohtani said through a translator.
The home run brought in Alex Call, who had doubled earlier, giving the Dodgers a 2-1 lead at the time. Ohtani also reached base on an error in the first inning, making his presence felt offensively from the start.
Ohtani’s Dual Performance Highlights Return to Two-Way Dominance
On the mound, Ohtani was electric. He threw 54 total pitches (37 for strikes), striking out the side in the fourth inning and flashing triple-digit velocity, including a 100 mph fastball to Iván Herrera. His outing was his longest of the season after missing the entire 2024 campaign due to elbow surgery.
He surrendered only two hits and one run, the latter coming on a bunt single from Brendon Donovan that scored Jordan Walker, who had singled and stolen second.
“It really felt good, the command of the fastball,” Ohtani noted. “Overall, the slider and curveball was really good.”
Despite Ohtani’s personal success, the Dodgers were ultimately defeated 5-3 by the Cardinals.
Historic Milestone
With his 1,000th hit, Ohtani joins Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui as only the third Japanese-born player to reach this landmark in Major League Baseball. He also becomes one of the few players in MLB history to hit a home run and strike out eight or more in a single game — for the third time in his career, and the first since 2023.
“I don’t really try to think too differently on days that I pitch,” Ohtani said, downplaying the complexity of his dual-role responsibilities.
Dodgers Taking a Cautious Approach
Manager Dave Roberts confirmed before the game that the team would continue to limit Ohtani’s innings, stating:
“The five-inning threshold is something that we feel can get you through a game and use relievers. We’ll see if that changes.”
Roberts emphasized that Ohtani is still adjusting to his two-way routine again after more than two years away from full duty.
“I don’t think he’s there yet. I think it’s going to get better as he gets more time in,” Roberts said.
Despite the Dodgers’ loss, Roberts praised Ohtani’s pitching command and offensive production, calling it a “really impressive” effort.
Building Toward Full Form
Ohtani’s performance also followed his explosive offensive showing in Tuesday night’s 12-6 victory over St. Louis, in which he scored three runs. It’s a clear indication that the reigning superstar is ramping up for the postseason, and possibly eyeing another MVP-level finish.
“He’s just a great competitor and obviously uber-talented,” Roberts said postgame. “I don’t think any superlatives can do it any justice.”
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