■MLB White Sox 3-4 Dodgers (26th Japan time, Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, Illinois)

Shohei Ohtani (29) of the Dodgers started as leadoff hitter and designated hitter in the away game against the White Sox on the 26th (Japan time), with 2 hits in 4 at-bats, 1 home run, 2 RBIs and 1 walk for a batting average of .320. This was his 24th home run in 2 games and his 31st multi-hit game of the season. His 9-game RBI streak is the longest for a Japanese player and is tied for the longest for the team.

After the game, Ohtani was interviewed about returning to first base after hitting his 24th home run, and said, “I wasn’t sure whether I stepped on it or not, so I guess I just went back.” He added with a wry smile, “At first I was watching the ball, wondering if it would go in, or if it would go over, so I held the bat a little too much, so Clayton (first base coach) told me to ‘leave it there’ (laughs). After that, I wasn’t sure whether I stepped on it or not, so I guess I just went back.”

He also commented on the reason for his good performance, saying, “I’m able to let go of balls that are out of the strike zone as a result of my good stance, so I think that’s leading to good results.”

Regarding the season being halfway through with 81 games, he said, “I think I first need to get used to the Dodgers as a team and my teammates, so in that sense I think it’s been a good first half, a great first half.”

And although he currently has the most votes in the National League DH category for the All-Star game, he said, “Of course I want to participate. I think the fan vote is special, so I think as a player, it would be the happiest thing to be able to participate there.” When asked about his participation in the Home Run Derby, which will be a hot topic after his selection, he said, “I’m not sure about the Home Run Derby yet. I feel like I need to get an offer first, so I think it will be after that. Of course, I want to play, like every player does, but I think it’s still up in the air.”