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Shohei Ohtani 50-50 update: LA Dodgers star grabs 49th steal in win over Miami Marlins
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Shohei Ohtani 50-50 update: LA Dodgers star grabs 49th steal in win over Miami Marlins



CNN

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani stole his 49th base of the season on Wednesday night, moving just one steal and two home runs away from an unprecedented 50-50 season.

The two-time AL MVP had a quiet game by his high standards – he went 1-for-5 and struck out twice in the Dodgers’ 8-4 victory over the Miami Marlins – but he continued his pursuit of history with a steal after his leadoff single in the first inning.

Ohtani’s 49th stolen base this season is tied for the second-most steals by a Japanese-born MLB player in a single year, putting the two-way star on par with his own manager, Dave Roberts.

“I was hoping for a bad pitch because a good pitch gets him,” Roberts said after the game, according to MLB.com. “He had a decent jump, but because of his speed, (catcher Nick) Fortes had to rush the pitch. He was safe and I hope he can do it either tomorrow or at home.”

Ohtani now has 49 steals and 48 home runs this season and is closer than anyone has ever come to having 50 steals and 48 home runs in a single year.

The 30-year-old has already surpassed Ronald Acuña Jr. and Alex Rodriguez, the two players who previously came closest to him. “La Bestia” stole 73 bases and hit 41 home runs for the Atlanta Braves last year, and A-Rod had 46 steals and 42 home runs as a member of the Seattle Mariners in 1998.

Ohtani is also just one home run away from tying the Dodgers’ franchise record of 49, set by Shawn Green in 2001.

“What a season,” Roberts said. “It’s remarkable that he can hit as a DH, but what’s even more remarkable is that he can keep his legs loose to be able to steal. It’s a skill, it’s a talent and the way he does it, I’m beside myself. It’s pretty impressive.”

The Dodgers took the lead with a solo home run by Will Smith in the second inning before a two-run homer by Tommy Edman and a three-run blast by Enrique Hernández in the fourth inning extended Los Angeles’ lead to 6-0.

On the mound, starter Landon Knack threw an excellent five innings, allowing two hits, no runs and recording seven strikeouts.

After Knack was replaced by Dodgers debutant Zach Logue, the Marlins struck back with three runs in the fifth inning. But Chris Taylor secured the win with a two-RBI single in the eighth inning, and a sacrifice fly by Fortes in the ninth inning was all the Marlins could muster in response.

Ohtani has 10 regular-season games left to reach the unprecedented 50-50 mark, and the Dodgers can punch their ticket to the postseason with a win against the Marlins on Thursday night.

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