Just when you want to believe that the two-way star has maxed out the scale of greatness, he finds a new ceiling to break. Against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, Shohei Ohtani blasted a stunning 26th home run of the season, repeating a feat once again after May 15, 2023. Well, no wonder they say only Ohtani can defeat Ohtani.

With his home run, the Japanese ace also added a triple to his name. And well, he took over the mound too, pitching an inning with 18 pitches, out of which 12 were strikes. Now, Ohtani happens to be the only player across 125 seasons to have multiple games with a pitching appearance, a triple, and a home run.

Speaking of his home run, when the Dodgers were leading with 12-2, cameras caught an adorable fan moment. A die-hard young Ohtani fan was seen crying his eyes out after the home run of the Japanese. Why though?

Apparently, his father, dressed in a Dodgers’ jersey, missed Ohtani’s home run ball. That’s what triggered the little boy’s overwhelming breakdown. The boy expected to take that ball home as a once-in-a-lifetime souvenir. As he started tearing down, the broadcasters addressed it too. Naturally, Ohtani noticed the kid and smiled.

After the game, the clip of the young fan quickly went viral and gained the attention of the baseball fans worldwide. Interestingly, fans even demanded the Dodgers should give that kid an Ohtani-signed baseball. In all honesty, he does deserve that.

Another key highlight of the weekend was Ohtani’s pitching. After his long-awaited pitching debut, it was his second outing on the mound this season. Frankly, he looked sharper than his first outing. What helped the Dodgers seal a 13-7 win and clinch the series in their favor was Ohtani clocking two strikeouts in one inning.

Ohtani’s return to the mound came after a nearly two-year halt. While he is still adjusting, Dodgerland can already see promising signs of more dominance in the next outing.

Roberts believes Ohtani’s second outing was better, but Ohtani disagrees

Against the Washington Nationals, Shohei Ohtani was visibly one step ahead in regaining his full form on the mound. It was his second inning as a pitcher for the Dodgers this season. He posted two strikeouts and allowed just one base runner; that, too, was just because of a fielding error. He concluded the inning with consecutive strikeouts using breaking balls.

In his first outing, Ohtani’s fastball reached 100 mph. Even in the second one, it reached 98.8 mph, but the control was better, per the Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “He was considerably better today, as far as the stuff, the life of the fastball, and the command of his pitches,” said Roberts. “Much better, so overall a really good outing.”

Against the Padres, Ohtani gave up two hits and one run across 28 pitches. Against the Nationals, his outing was overall better, but the man himself didn’t feel it was good enough. “I do feel like I have to work on some things… But at the same time, I do feel like I can perform better, even better than I used to be able to perform at,” he said.

The three-time MVP then drove in five runs at the plate, hitting a three-run triple in the seventh before adding his NL-leading 26th homer in the eighth inning of the Dodgers’ 13-7 victory over the Washington Nationals.

He is leading the National League now, yet for Ohtani, it’s all about maxing out the greatness.