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Shohei Ohtani Ties Dodgers Record With Historic Homer

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Tyler Maher | Last updated May 31, 2025 11:45 AM ET

What a month it's been for Shohei Ohtani.

The reigning NL MVP launched two more homers on Friday, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees 8-5. Ohtani drilled the first pitch he saw from Max Fried over the center-field wall in the bottom of the first, then took Fried deep again in the bottom of the sixth.

The pair of solo shots raised Ohtani's MLB-leading total to 22, 15 of which have come in May. That ties a Dodgers record for most home runs in a month, matching Duke Snider (August 1953) and Pedro Guerrero (June 1985).

With the way he's swinging the bat, Ohtani could break that record on Saturday. He's been especially hot lately with five long balls over his last five games.

Shohei Ohtani hit his second home run of the night. His MLB-leading 22nd of the year.

He's on pace for 62 home runs.

Ohtani's 15 home runs in May ties Duke Snider and Pedro Guerrero for most home runs in a month in Dodgers history.

Runaway MVP.

pic.twitter.com/BJyFu6YJ6y
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) May 31, 2025

Surprisingly, the Dodgers are only 14-12 in May despite their superstar's historic month, though they still lead the NL West by two games over the San Diego Padres.

After leading the NL with 54 homers last year, Los Angeles' leadoff man is on pace for 62 big flies this year. That would be the most by an NL player since Barry Bonds' MLB-record 73-homer campaign for the San Francisco Giants in 2001.

If he keeps it up, Ohtani will likely win his third straight MVP award and fourth overall. He also leads the Majors in runs scored (61) while pacing the NL in slugging percentage (.670) and total bases (148).

No Dodgers player has ever won back-to-back MVPs before, but Ohtani could be the first.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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