04/11/26 12:55:00
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04/11 00:54 CDT Shohei Ohtani breaks Ichiro Suzuki's Japanese on-base streak
record with a 44-game run
Shohei Ohtani breaks Ichiro Suzuki's Japanese on-base streak record with a
44-game run
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- Shohei Ohtani passed Ichiro Suzuki for the longest on-base
streak by a Japanese-born player on Friday night.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star singled in the fifth inning against Kumar Rocker
of the Texas Rangers, extending his streak to 44 games. It was his 13th game
reaching base in as many tries this season. His streak began on Aug. 24, and
lasted the final 31 games of last season.
"He's taking walks, he's getting hits, and he really hasn't got going yet,"
manager Dave Roberts said.
Ohtani struck out once and was intentionally walked in the eighth with runners
on first and second.
"Players like to hit, they like to swing the bat, but he's smart enough to know
that if they're not going to pitch to him, they're going to pitch around him,
then it's a better plan to take the walk," Roberts said.
Ohtani is tied with Len Koenecke (1934) and Zack Wheat (1919-1920) for the
fifth-longest on-base streak in Dodger franchise history. He has reached base
safely in each of his seven bobblehead nights as a Dodger.
"I thought he was going to hit a home run tonight," Roberts said, "and I think
he wanted a home run tonight on his bobblehead night, but it just wasn't to be."
Suzuki reached base in 43 consecutive games in 2009 with the Seattle Mariners.
Ohtani has said he admired Suzuki while growing up.
Ohtani had already passed the Hall of Famer in another category. In 2024,
Ohtani's 59 stolen bases broke Suzuki's record for steals by a Japanese-born
player in a season. Suzuki had 56 in 2001.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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