The Los Angeles Dodgers faced a 10-7 defeat against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night, marking their fourth loss in five games since the All-Star break. Despite the setback, Shohei Ohtani made history by setting a new Dodgers home run record, surpassing the legendary Duke Snider in the team’s first 102 games of the season.
Ohtani Breaks Dodgers’ Home Run Mark Amid Team’s Struggles
Shohei Ohtani continued his outstanding power display by hitting his 36th home run of the season during the game against the Twins. This home run pushed him past the previous Dodgers record for most homers in the first 102 games, previously held by Duke Snider, who had 35. Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners currently leads Major League Baseball with 39 home runs this season, just three ahead of Ohtani.
Although the Dodgers lost, Ohtani contributed two RBIs and ended the game 1-for-5 at the plate. His batting average for the season now stands at .274, with a total of 69 RBIs. The Dodgers, still atop the National League West with a 59-43 record, have seen their lead shrink to just 3.5 games over the San Diego Padres, highlighting a more competitive division race following their recent losses.
Comparing Ohtani’s Record to Dodgers History
Ohtani’s achievement places him ahead of some of the most revered hitters in Dodgers history within the same timeframe. Sarah Langs of MLB.com confirmed the milestone, documenting the most home runs by Dodgers players in the team’s first 102 games:
“Most home runs in team’s first 102 games, Dodgers history: 2025 Shohei Ohtani: 36, 1955 Duke Snider: 35, 2019 Cody Bellinger: 34, 2000 Gary Sheffield: 34” —Sarah Langs, MLB.com Analyst
Duke Snider enjoyed an illustrious career spanning 18 seasons with multiple teams, including the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. Over his career, he maintained a .295 batting average and a .380 on-base percentage, hitting 407 home runs and driving in 1,333 runs. Snider was an eight-time All-Star and won two World Series titles, also leading the National League in home runs in 1956 with 43. His record stood firm for decades before Ohtani’s recent surge.
Upcoming Matchup and Future Prospects
The Dodgers will look to rebound as they face the Minnesota Twins again on Wednesday afternoon, with the first pitch scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET. Tyler Glasnow is set to start for the Dodgers, while Chris Paddack will pitch for the Twins, who currently hold a 49-52 record. The series between these teams offers the Dodgers an opportunity to regain momentum and maintain their lead in the divisional race.
Ohtani’s continued excellence at the plate is seen as a critical factor for the Dodgers as they chase postseason success. His ability to produce consistently powerful at-bats while maintaining solid overall hitting statistics adds significant value to the team’s offense. As Ohtani pushes closer to topping the league in home runs, his contributions are under close watch across MLB.