Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani heads home after his home run off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Flexen during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
CHICAGO (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani hit a leadoff homer against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, extending his RBI streak to a career-high nine consecutive games.
Ohtani drove a hanging curveball from Chris Flexen into the visitor's bullpen in right-center for his NL-best 24th homer. White Sox right fielder Tommy Pham tried to make a leaping grab on the play, but was unable to bring it in.
Ohtani has driven in at least one run in his last nine games, matching a franchise record. The last player to accomplish the feat for the Dodgers was Hall of Fame catcher Roy Campanella in 1955.
It was Ohtani's second leadoff homer of the season and No. 8 for his career.
He began the third inning with a leadoff walk.
Ohtani, who turns 30 on July 5, is in his first season with the Dodgers after agreeing to a record-shattering $700 million, 10-year contract in December.
The two-time AL MVP moved into the leadoff spot after Mookie Betts was sidelined by a broken left hand. Heading into Tuesday's action, the Japanese star was batting .407 (11 for 27) with four homers and 12 RBIs in seven games since Betts got hurt.
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Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits a home run off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Flexen during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani is greeted by third base coach Dino Ebel after his home run off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Flexen as umpire Erich Bacchus watches during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani is greeted outside the dugout by Freddie Freeman after Ohtani's home run off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Flexen during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani waves to fans as he takes the field to warm up before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani waves to fans as he takes the field to warm up before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
