Shohei Ohtani had a legendary performance in Monday’s Game 3, hitting a pair of home runs, knocking in three runs and reaching base an astonishing nine times in the 6-5, 18-inning win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
It took quite the toll, however. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that Ohtani was administered IVs after the contest and was “witnessed being hustled out by Dodgers security past about 1 a.m. local time—an hour after the game—after having been in the trainer’s room since his enthralling, exhausting performance.”
ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez reported that Ohtani “received intravenous fluid to address leg cramps moments after the Dodgers came away from a 6-hour, 39-minute Game 3 with a walk-off victory, got to bed by roughly 2 a.m. PT and received what he called ‘quality sleep.'”
It turns out that Ohtani very much values his rest.
A fresh and rejuvenated Ohtani was particularly important, given that he was the starting pitcher for Game 4.
He didn’t necessarily look like a player who just participated in an 18-inning marathon, going six innings (93 pitches) with six strikeouts, though he did give up six hits and four runs in the 6-1 loss. He also went 0-for-3 at the plate with a walk.
For most players, it would have been a perfectly average performance, but by Ohtani’s ridiculous standards it was somewhat of a letdown. He didn’t blame the prior night’s marathon, however, saying he was “able to get on the mound in pretty good condition” for Game 4 and added that “although we did lose the game, I thought I had a productive experience being able to experience this situation.”
It was certainly an extremely unique one.
