Ohtani first to hit 40 homers for the season

NHK -- Aug 19

Japanese two-way star Ohtani Shohei of the Los Angeles Angels has become the first player in Major League Baseball to reach 40 home runs this season. He also picked up his eighth win as pitcher.

Ohtani was the starting pitcher and first batter in the game against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.

He belted a solo homer in the eighth inning on his fourth at-bat. It was his first home run in four games.

With his 40th homer, he widened his lead over the runner-up in the home run race to five.

The Angels beat the Tigers 3-1.