Shohei Ohtani's 3 HRs, 2 SBs, launch him into 50-50 club in Dodgers win

Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers made Major League Baseball history Thursday, ending a chase that became a 50-50 proposition. 

Ohtani had a three-homer, two-steal performance that vaulted him into a 51 homer, 51 steals season as the Dodgers defeated the Marlins 20-3 on Thursday afternoon at LoanDepot Park.

Ohtani had a career night, going 6 for 6. Besides the homers and steals he had 10 RBIs, two doubles and a single in what already has been called one of the greatest single-game performances in baseball history.

The Dodgers' (91-62) victory secured a playoff berth — their 12th in a row — and ensured Ohtani's first postseason appearance in seven seasons. Their magic number to clinch the division is now six.

Ohtani hit a 438-foot home run to right-center field, his 49th, off right-hander George Soriano in the sixth inning. In the seventh inning, with Andy Pages on base again, Ohtani hit a two-run home run to left field (391 feet) off right-hander Mike Baumann to reach 50 home runs.

Ohtani surpasses Shawn Green on the Dodgers' all-time home run list. Green finished with 49 home runs in 2001.

In the ninth inning, with the Dodgers leading 14-3, Miami didn't want to strain their bullpen further. As a result, infielder Vidal Bruján took the mound. Ohtani smashed his 51st home run, a towering three-run blast to right-center field, traveling 440 feet.

As for those steals, he stole his 50th in the first on a double steal and his 51st on a non-throwing attempt in the second inning.

This is Ohtani's 13th game this season with at least one home run and a stolen base, which ties him with Rickey Henderson (1986 season) for the most in MLB history.

Mookie Betts said that Ohtani's performance in Thursday was the best single game he has ever been part of.

"I'm really just a fan watching it like all of you are," Betts added. 

It was Ohtani's first six-hit game, first three-homer game and his first 10-RBI game.

The way Ohtani has performed in his first season with the Dodgers just makes it hard to believe whether he can keep up this type of offensive production once he starts pitching again.

Manager Dave Roberts has left the door open for Ohtani to pitch in the postseason. He has recently thrown multiple bullpen sessions over the last few weeks with his rehab progression going as planned.

After signing a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers, this deal now seems like a bargain. 

The 30-year-old two-time MVP leads the National League in home runs (51), slugging percentage (.629) and OPS (1.005).

Ohtani hit a career-high 46 home runs in 2021 and stole a career-best 26 bases in the same season. Like Ronald Acuna Jr. last season (41 homers, 73 stolen bases), Ohtani has taken advantage of 2023 rule changes that have made it easier to steal bases.

The Dodgers scored 20 runs in the game as the offense was rolling, collecting 16 total hits. Will Smith and Freddie Freeman were the only players to go hitless.

Freeman reached base with a walk in the first inning and then was part of a double steal with Ohtani, marking his ninth steal. Smith followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Ohtani, giving the team its first run of the game.

While right-hander Jack Flaherty saved the bullpen some innings by pitching six strong innings, allowing five hits and three runs.

The upcoming three-game home series against the Colorado Rockies will kick off Friday with a bullpen game. Los Angeles' starting pitcher has not been announced yet. The Rockies will start left-hander Kyle Freeland (5-7, 4.89 ERA).