CHICAGO — In his 79th game with the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani has set a new franchise record.
Ohtani hit a home run leading off the proceedings in the final game of the series against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on Wednesday, marking his 10th consecutive game with at least one RBI. It is a new record for the Dodgers since RBIs became an official statistic in 1920.
And, just like Tuesday, Ohtani got the RBI with a home run starting the game as LA’s leadoff hitter. Only this time, the Dodgers’ slugger didn’t have to worry about not finding first base. He connected on a 3-2 cutter from Chicago starter Erick Fedde, a connection projected by Statcast to go 437 feet to right-center field with an exit velocity of 113.9 mph.
As his homer sailed into the stands, Ohtani took a few moments to admire the shot before jogging around the bases.
On Tuesday, Ohtani carried his bat with him to first base as he watched his homer barely clear the right-field wall. He also wasn’t sure if he had touched the base, and after moving more than halfway toward second base, he backed up to make sure he did.
Ohtani began the day tied with Roy Campanella (1955), Augie Galan (1944) and Eddie Brown (1924) for the Dodgers’ record for most consecutive challenges with at least one RBI in a single season. Matt Kemp accomplished the feat in two seasons, posting at least one RBI in nine consecutive games between late 2011 and early 2012.
The overall major league record belongs to Ray Grimes with 17 consecutive games with at least one RBI, achieving it for the Cubs in 1922.
