Shohei Ohtani (31, Los Angeles Dodgers) was so intimidating that even after the intentional walk strategy failed, there was no regret.

On the 30th (Korean time), Ohtani started as the No. 1 designated hitter in a home game against the Detroit Tigers, going 0 for 2 with two walks, reaching base twice and scoring two runs, contributing to the Dodgers' 7-3 victory.

Ohtani struck out swinging in the first, and in the third, he flew out to left field, but in the fifth with two outs and a runner on third base, Detroit avoided the challenge with an intentional walk. They filled the open first base and chose to face the next batter, Teoscar Hernandez.

As a result, it was a failed strategy for Detroit. Hernandez hit the fourth slider from Detroit starter Ryes Olson, driving it past the third baseman and into left field for a double. Both the runner on third and Ohtani on first came home, leading the Dodgers to a 4-2 turnaround. It was a two-RBI double that became the winning hit of the day.

While the decision not to challenge Ohtani ultimately felt regrettable, A.J. Hinch, the Detroit manager, noted that he had no regrets about it. In a post-game interview, Hinch said, “Ohtani is the best player in the world. We thought we could get a ground ball against Hernandez, and it nearly happened, but it slipped away by 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm).”

Even if the same situation arises in the future, Hinch has no intention of matching up against Ohtani. He stated, “I don't know what the outcome will be, but I will never challenge Ohtani.”

Direct challenges are the fundamental spirit of Major League Baseball, but Ohtani is a terrifying presence in critical situations. This is especially true for Hinch. He led the Houston Astros to their first World Series victory in 2017 but faced a one-year suspension in 2020 due to the illegal sign-stealing controversy. He returned to the field in 2021, taking the helm of the Detroit Tigers.

However, since becoming the manager of Detroit, he has faced Ohtani multiple times. From his time with the Los Angeles Angels (2021-2023) to now with the Dodgers, Ohtani has been particularly strong against Detroit over the past five years, posting a batting average of .325 (26 hits in 80 at-bats), 12 home runs, 20 RBIs, 18 walks, and 28 Samjin, with an on-base percentage of .444 and a slugging percentage of .775, for an OPS of 1.219.

In an away game against Detroit on July 13 of last year, with the game tied 3-3 in the ninth inning with two outs and runners on first and third, he hit a two-run double that went off the central fence on one bounce, leading the Dodgers to a 4-3 victory. For Hinch, who had faced Ohtani repeatedly, challenging him with runners in scoring positions must feel reckless.

Ohtani received intentional walks of 20, 14, and 21 during his three years with the Angels from 2021 to 2023. However, since joining the Dodgers, where there are many powerful hitters, he has been free from intense scrutiny. After a historic season with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases last year, the number of intentional walks significantly dropped to 10. With Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman behind him, there is no point for opposing teams to issue intentional walks.

This year, he received two intentional walks in the first five games. On the 19th of last month, in a game against the Chicago Cubs held in Tokyo, Japan, he took an intentional walk in the seventh inning with two outs and a runner on second. At that time, Betts had returned early to the U.S. due to flu complications, and Freeman was also absent due to rib pain, leaving Tommy Edman as the next batter after Ohtani. In a situation with two outs and runners on first and second following Ohtani's intentional walk, Edman grounded out to third, ending the inning.

In the game against Detroit on the 30th, Betts was resting, and Hernandez was backing up Ohtani in the second spot in the lineup. Although not at the level of Betts or Freeman, Hernandez is also a powerful hitter known to perform well under pressure. Whether feeling frustrated after Ohtani's intentional walk or not, he responded with a two-RBI double. After the game, Hernandez stated, “When the batter before you walks intentionally, you must work harder and concentrate at the plate to inflict damage on the opposing team.”

[OSEN]