Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Miami Marlins box score, summary and team stats – Gametracker as of September 19, 2024

MIAMI (AP) Shohei Ohtani became the first player in major league history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season when he hit a home run three times and stole two bases to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a playoff victory The Miami Marlins led 20-4 on Thursday.

“Happy, relieved and very respectful of my peers and everyone who came before me to play this sport of baseball,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.

Ohtani also became the first player with three home runs and two steals in a game. He doubled twice, had a career-best six hits and set a Dodgers record with 10 RBIs. His 51 home runs this season broke Shawn Green's franchise record of 49 set in 2001.

“The individual performance tonight was remarkable,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “With this baseball game, it was a victory for Major League Baseball. I know people around the world watched this game and we’re excited for them to get the chance to witness history.”

The Japanese star started the day with two home runs and a steal just under the 50-50 mark. Ohtani doubled to lead the game and then hit third to get to 50 steals. He stole his 51st base in the second inning.

Ohtani hit a home run in the sixth off reliever George Soriano, a 438-foot drive to the second deck in right-center. His 49th home run gave the Dodgers a 9-3 lead. His turn came again in the seventh and Ohtani hit his historic shot, a shot from opposite field over the left field wall against Mike Baumann.

“Honestly, I wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible,” Ohtani said. “The balls were changed every time I came to bat.”

Ohtani was mobbed by his Dodgers teammates as he reached the dugout. The 15,548 spectators continued to cheer until Ohtani came out of the dugout to call for the curtain call.

The Marlins' home stadium has special meaning for Ohtani. There he defeated star slugger Mike Trout to secure Japan's final victory over the United States in the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship.

“I have experienced perhaps the most memorable moments of my career here and this stadium has become one of my favorite stadiums,” said Ohtani.

With first base open before Ohtani's first two home runs, Marlins manager Skip Schumaker opted to have Soriano and Baumann pitch to Ohtani rather than intentionally walk him.

“If it was a close game, a run ahead or we were behind, then I probably put him in,” Schumaker said. “With that many runs, it’s a bad move as far as baseball, karma and the baseball god are concerned. You go after him to see if you can get him out. I think out of respect for the game we wanted to pursue him. He hit the home run. That’s just part of the deal.”

The Dodgers respected Schumaker's decision.

“A lot of us actually looked at the opposing dugout, and I think a lot of the coaches told Skip, 'Hey, we should bring him here,'” Dodgers infielder Max Muncy said. “I've always loved Skip. When he was the first base coach in San Diego, I always talked to him. I heard that all the boys love playing for him. The fact that he can do that is great.”

Roberts added: “The game was definitely out of control. The boys got out their starters and to take away this potential moment from the fans, Shohei himself, Skip understood that. It was bigger than that and I have no respect for it.”

Ohtani faced infielder Vidal Bruján in the ninth and hit his third home run, a 440-foot, three-run blast that highlighted a six-run inning.

Ohtani's historic day spanned almost a cycle. He was thrown out at third while attempting to turn his second double into a triple.

The NL West-leading Dodgers secured their 12th straight playoff berth, reducing their magic number to secure the division to six.

Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty allowed three runs and five hits over six innings. Flaherty (13-7) had a walk two and a strikeout.

Ohtani gave the Dodgers a 7-1 lead with a two-run double in the third off Edward Cabrera (4-8), who was lifted after consecutive walks with the bases loaded.

Andy Pages hit a two-run double in the seventh to extend Los Angeles' lead to 12-3 and scored on Ohtani's second home run.

TRAINING ROOM

Dodgers: INF Miguel Rojas (illness) was available to pinch hit and will return Friday, Roberts said.

Marlins: Bruján (shoulder sprain) and OF Derek Hill (left shoulder impact) were returned from the injured list.

NEXT

Dodgers: No starter has been named for Friday's opener of a three-game home series against LHP Kyle Freeland (5-7, 4.89 ERA) and Colorado.

Marlins: Continue their final homestand of the season on Friday, with RHP Valente Bellozo (2-4, 3.70) opening a three-game series against Atlanta. RHP Charlie Morton (8-8, 4.01) will start for the Braves.

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