In a highly anticipated matchup between two Japanese stars, Yusei Kikuchi faced off against Shohei Ohtani, with Kikuchi bringing his hardest pitches of the season. Despite Kikuchi’s impressive performance, the Los Angeles Dodgers emerged victorious over the Toronto Blue Jays with a score of 4-2.
Kikuchi expressed his excitement and adrenaline when pitching against Ohtani, his fellow Japanese player. He threw his fastest fastball of the season at 98.2 m.p.h., but Ohtani managed to hit it for an RBI. However, Kikuchi struck out Ohtani in the fourth inning, showcasing his pitching prowess.
Ohtani, known as one of the best hitters in baseball, had a relatively quiet day, going 1 for 5. Kikuchi’s pitches against Ohtani, including speeds of 97.9 m.p.h. and 97.7 m.p.h., were the hardest he had thrown all season.
Mookie Betts led the Dodgers to their sixth consecutive win, going 3 for 5 with a triple and an RBI single. Tyler Glasnow pitched a solid game for the Dodgers, recording nine strikeouts over six innings.
Despite the loss, the Blue Jays fought until the end, with Davis Schneider and Cavan Biggio contributing offensively. Ohtani, who received boos from the Toronto fans due to choosing the Dodgers over the Blue Jays in free agency, remained focused on the game.
The intense matchup between Kikuchi and Ohtani captivated fans, showcasing the talent and competitiveness of both players. The Dodgers’ win solidified their position as a strong contender in the league, while the Blue Jays look to bounce back in their next game against Los Angeles.