Sports

Ohtani hits walk-off grand slam, becomes 6th MLB player to join '40-40 club'

Aug 25 (NHK) - Major League Baseball star Ohtani Shohei hit a walk-off grand slam and reached the milestone of 40 homeruns and 40 stolen bases this season.

The Japanese player is only the sixth person to achieve this feat in MLB history.

Ohtani was the designated hitter and batted first in Friday's home game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Ohtani got his 40th stolen base in the fourth inning after his second at-bat. He was at first base with an infield hit and stole second base. He has successfully stolen bases three games in a row.

Now in his seventh year in the Major Leagues, it's the first time for the superstar to steal 40 bases in a single season.

The Dodgers and Rays went into the ninth inning with a 3-3 tie. The bases were loaded with two outs when Ohtani came up for his fifth at-bat. He swung on the first pitch and ripped a walk-off grand slam deep into the center field stands -- his 40th homer this season. It was Ohtani's first grand slam in the Major Leagues.

The Japanese Major Leaguer, who reached the 40-40 milestone in 126 games, is also the quickest to accomplish the feat.

The Dodgers beat the Rays 7-3 and extended the team's winning streak to five.

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