Shohei Ohtani made a statement in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ home opener, belting his second home run of the season in a thrilling 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.

Batting as the designated hitter, Ohtani showcased his power in the seventh inning, launching a towering solo shot off Tigers reliever Brenan Hanifee. The opposite-field blast extended the Dodgers’ lead to 5-3, a crucial cushion as they held off a late Detroit push.

Ohtani went 2-for-4 on the night, also recording a single and scoring twice. His latest homer follows his first of the season, which came during the Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs.

Teoscar Hernández provided additional offensive firepower, delivering a three-run homer in the fifth inning. Meanwhile, Blake Snell, the Dodgers’ newly acquired ace and a two-time Cy Young Award winner, secured his first victory with the team, tossing five solid innings and allowing two runs.

Reflecting on his home run in a postgame interview, Ohtani expressed his satisfaction with the timing of the hit. “I think I was able to hit it at the right moment. Winning the first game of a special opening series like this is a big deal,” he said.

Ohtani also compared his mindset between the season opener in Japan and the home opener in Los Angeles. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had previously noted that Ohtani seemed unusually nervous during the Tokyo Series due to the pressure of playing in front of his home country.

However, Ohtani felt more at ease in the home opener, stating, “I think I was able to enter this game more naturally than in the Tokyo Series. After the opening ceremony, I felt an even stronger desire to win back-to-back championships.”

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