Shohei Ohtani Reaches 299 Homers in Dodgers’ Wild 11-Inning Win

One swing sent the ball toward left-center, pushed the Dodgers ahead and moved Shohei Ohtani to the edge of another milestone. His two-run homer at Dodger Stadium was career No. 299, but the night kept twisting long after the ball cleared the fence. Los Angeles eventually survived a blown three-run lead, a replay at home plate and an extra-inning confrontation to beat the Colorado Rockies 8-7 in 11 innings.

How Events Unfolded

Colorado took an early lead, but Ohtani flipped the score in the third inning. Facing Kyle Freeland, he attacked a first-pitch cutter and drove it to left-center for a two-run homer that put Los Angeles ahead 2-1. MLB.com reported an exit velocity of 105.9 mph.

The homer was only part of Ohtani’s night. In the fourth, the Dodgers built a four-run inning, and Ohtani capped it with a two-run single up the middle. He finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs and a walk, matching his season high in hits and recording his first game with at least four RBIs since May 16.

The apparent cushion disappeared in the ninth. Tanner Scott surrendered three runs as Colorado tied the game 6-6. Cole Carrigg’s two-out double initially appeared to put the Rockies ahead, but replay showed Hunter Goodman was out at home, erasing the third run on the play.

Colorado went ahead 7-6 in the 10th before Los Angeles tied it in the bottom half. Dalton Rushing then ended the game with an 11th-inning single, giving the Dodgers their first extra-inning victory of the season and making them the first MLB team to reach 60 wins. The full game sequence captured a night that changed direction repeatedly.

Critical Details

The biggest number is now 300. Ohtani needs one more home run to become the newest member of a group that MLB.com said contains 169 players. Teammate Mookie Betts was the most recent player to join that club.

The timing also mattered because Ohtani had missed Saturday’s game against San Diego with right biceps tightness. Any concern about his swing eased quickly Monday. Before homering, he drove a first-inning lineout to center at 111.8 mph.

His matchup with Freeland has been especially productive. According to the New York Post, Ohtani is now 9-for-16 with three home runs and nine RBIs against the left-hander. Monday’s homer also ended a five-game stretch without a home run.

Through 87 games, Ohtani has 19 homers, 55 RBIs, 61 runs and six stolen bases, while his .944 OPS ranks third among qualified major-league hitters. Of his 299 career homers, 128 have come during his three seasons with Los Angeles. His expanding global reach gives milestones like No. 300 significance beyond a standard regular-season box score.

Reactions & Responses

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts focused on how convincingly Ohtani looked back in rhythm after the brief biceps issue.

Tonight was the first time in a while that he really looked like Shohei. Even his out in the first inning was a rocket to the center fielder.

Roberts also put the approaching milestone in the context of Ohtani’s pace.

We're always talking about the 500 club. And so for him to get to 300 … it's been pretty dang quick for me.

The reaction makes sense given the combination of speed and consistency. Ohtani is not simply approaching a round number late in a career; he is doing it while remaining one of the league’s most productive hitters.

Putting It in Perspective

For the Dodgers, Ohtani’s milestone chase is happening inside a larger run of team success. Los Angeles became the first club to reach 60 wins and held a 14-game lead in the National League West, the largest division advantage in the majors, according to the New York Post.

Ohtani also already stands far ahead among Japanese-born MLB home run hitters. His 299 career total is well beyond Hideki Matsui’s 175, giving the approaching 300th homer added historical weight.

Monday showed why the milestone chase will attract attention across the US. Ohtani delivered four runs, the bullpen lost the lead, Colorado nearly stole the game, and the Dodgers still found a way to win. His next swing could produce a personal landmark, but the team around him is also setting the pace in baseball.

Looking Ahead

Ohtani enters the next game needing exactly one home run for 300. The Dodgers continue their series against Colorado on Tuesday, with Justin Wrobleski listed to start for Los Angeles against Michael Lorenzen.

No date for the milestone is guaranteed. The only confirmed next step is simple: Ohtani will carry career total No. 299 into his next opportunity to hit.