Shohei Ohtani homered for the fifth consecutive game on Wednesday afternoon, tying a Los Angeles Dodgers franchise record. The reigning National League MVP launched a 441-foot solo home run in the first inning off Minnesota Twins starter Chris Paddack. It marked the longest home run streak of his MLB career and the most ever by a Japanese-born player.

With that home run, Ohtani regained sole possession of the National League home run lead with 37. He also became the first player since Aaron Judge in 2023 to homer in five straight games. The homer provided an early spark for a Dodgers team that had lost 11 of its last 14 and whose struggling bullpen was described by manager Dave Roberts as having hit “rock bottom” on Tuesday night.

Ohtani’s homer helped set the tone in a dramatic 4–3 walk-off victory at Dodger Stadium. Down to their final out in the bottom of the ninth with no one on base, the Dodgers mounted a comeback. After Ohtani was intentionally walked and advanced to second, Freddie Freeman delivered a two-run, bases-loaded single to drive in Mookie Betts and Ohtani to seal the win.

Ohtani’s homer also marked the seventh time in Dodgers history that a player has homered in five consecutive games. He now joins a group that includes Max Muncy (2019), Joc Pederson (2015), Adrian Gonzalez (2014–15), Matt Kemp (2010), Shawn Green (2001), and Hall of Famer Roy Campanella (1950).

Ohtani is now batting .276 with 70 RBIs and remains a dual-threat presence. On the mound, he is scheduled to pitch four innings on Monday in Cincinnati as he continues his buildup following a second UCL surgery on his right elbow.

Wednesday’s win was the Dodgers’ eighth walk-off of the season. That ties them with the Boston Red Sox and places them just behind the San Francisco Giants, who have nine. With a scheduled off day Thursday, Ohtani will have a chance to extend his historic home run streak on Friday in Boston against the Red Sox.

The MLB record for most consecutive games with a home run is eight. That record is shared by Dale Long, Don Mattingly, and Ken Griffey Jr., who was the last to do it in 1993. Ohtani now stands just three games away from matching that mark.

5 STRAIGHT GAMES WITH A HOMER FOR SHOHEI pic.twitter.com/aQVuWRVI15

— MLB (@MLB) July 23, 2025