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Watch: Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani inches closer to elusive mark
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) steals third base against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Watch: Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani inches closer to elusive mark

Shohei Ohtani completed half his quest for a 50-50 season on Thursday when he stole third base against the Miami Marlins

After Ohtani doubled and Freddie Freeman walked in the top of the first, the Dodgers pulled off a successful double steal. The throw beat Ohtani to the bag; however, Marlins third baseman Connor Norby tagged Ohtani on his knee, who was able to sneak his foot in before the tag. 

Ohtani did not take long to steal his 51st base of the season. In the next inning, Ohtani got on with a single and promptly stole second base without a throw. 

He is now just two home runs away from being the first player in history to have a 50-50 season. 

Ohtani's stolen base puts him tied for 22nd in the Dodgers franchise record for most stolen bases in a season.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, Ohtani is only the fifth player in MLB history to have more than 40 stolen bases and lead their league in home runs. 

Ohtani can run and hit for power at the same pace. After stealing his 51st base, Ohtani came up in the sixth inning and crushed a no-doubt home run to give him 49 on the season and leaving him one away from the milestone. 

The home run ties Ohtani with Shawn Green for the most homers hit by a Dodger in a season. Ohtani will make Dodgers and MLB history with his next home run.

It has been a historical first year for Ohtani in Los Angeles, and it is all coming while he is rehabbing from a major arm surgery that would have any other player out for the season. 

Matthew Brown

Matthew Brown lives in the Los Angeles area and has grown up a Dodger fan his whole life. Matthew graduated from CSU Long Beach with his bachelor's degree in journalism in 2022. Whenever Matthew is not watching baseball, you can find him playing through the Halo video game series as well as collecting bobbleheads and Funko Pops.

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