With the count being 1-1, Ohtani timed Cardinals pitcher Kyle Leahy 's 92 miles-per-hour sinker before winding his bat up to launch the ball 440 feet to center field into the stands to help gain Los Angeles' first lead of the game, 2-1.

Yashinobu Yamamoto has been a true ace for the Dodgers in 2025, but Ohtani's pitching talent is enough that, when the time comes, he could be a Game 1 starter in a playoff series. If the Dodgers have a tough decision on their hands in that regard come Fall, then Ohtani's return went incredibly well.