Shohei Ohtani has tied the franchise record with home runs in five consecutive games, while Freddie Freeman's walk-off hit helped the Dodgers secure a comeback victory.

Following the All-Star break, Shohei Ohtani has become a home run powerhouse.

In the early hours of this morning's game against the Twins, Ohtani hit a solo shot off starting pitcher Chris Paddack in the first inning, tying the Dodgers' franchise record for consecutive games with home runs. The last player to achieve this feat was Aaron Judge from September 22-27, 2024.

However, during Ohtani's power surge, the Dodgers only managed two wins. In the decisive game of the series, trailing in the ninth inning with two outs, Freddie Freeman's two-run walk-off hit led the team to a 4-3 comeback. Tyler Glasnow pitched seven innings with 12 strikeouts and allowed just one run, but the bullpen collapsed in the eighth. Freeman’s hit ended the game. "This victory is crucial," Freeman emphasized, "winning the series is very significant."

Ohtani became the seventh player in Dodgers history to hit home runs in five consecutive games, joining:

• Max Muncy (2019)
• Joc Pederson (2015)
• Adrián González (2014-15)
• Matt Kemp (2010)
• Shawn Green (2001)
• Roy Campanella (1950)

The major league record for consecutive games with home runs is eight (held by Dale Long in 1956, Don Mattingly in 1987, and Ken Griffey Jr. in 1993). When asked if he could extend the streak this weekend in Boston, manager Dave Roberts replied, "If we maintain our hitting strategy this week, the Green Monster will be a non-factor—any fly ball could become a home run."

Prior to this, Ohtani had achieved three consecutive games with home runs 11 times in his career but had never surpassed four games. On Tuesday night, he homered against Twins closer Jhoan Duran (the first time Duran had given up a home run in over a year), and on Wednesday, he pushed the record to five games.

Since going hitless in four at-bats in the first game of the second half last Friday, Ohtani has homered in every game—this includes becoming the first pitcher in 45 years to both allow and hit a home run in the same inning. His 37th home run helped him surpass Eugenio Suárez to reclaim the National League home run title, trailing only Cal Raleigh of the Mariners with 39 home runs.

Before the home run streak, Ohtani's hitting had declined since returning to the mound on June 17: in the 26 games leading up to last Friday, he had a batting average of just .200 (still contributing seven home runs and an OPS of .813). The Dodgers are not concerned about his fluctuating performance, especially since this two-time MVP has created legendary moments as both a full-time designated hitter and starting pitcher in 2021 and 2023.

Even though he is not at his peak, Ohtani can still influence the game. In the ninth inning against Twins reliever Griffin Jax on Wednesday, Mookie Betts reached base with an infield hit, and the Twins chose to intentionally walk Ohtani, creating a situation with runners on second and third.

"That was the right decision," Roberts admitted, "it just didn’t work out."

Esteury Ruiz walked to load the bases, and Freeman ended the game with a four-seam fastball to left field on a 1-2 count. Freeman admitted he has struggled with his swing for a long time: "I'm still making adjustments, but this swing feels significantly better—I haven't hit a line drive to left field in a long time, and I hope this is a new starting point."

The Dodgers are about to embark on their longest road trip of the second half (Boston/Cincinnati/Tampa). Roberts revealed that Betts may miss Saturday's game due to personal matters: "He needs to handle some personal issues, but he should be fine."