Ohtani Ruled Out on Unusual Comebacker in Astros-Dodgers Clash
Houston, TX – Shohei Ohtani, the electrifying two-way superstar, found himself on the wrong side of a peculiar defensive play during today’s matchup between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers. In what can only be described as an unusual turn of events, Ohtani was called out on a comebacker to Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr.
The incident occurred in the bottom of the second inning with two outs and a runner on first. Ohtani stepped into the batter’s box, facing McCullers. The count went to 1-1, and on the following pitch, Ohtani made contact with the ball, sending a sharp grounder back towards the mound.
As is often the case when a ball is hit directly back to the pitcher, McCullers was in a position to field the ball. However, the specific circumstances leading to the out were rather unconventional. According to reports and visual evidence, the batted ball struck Ohtani himself after it had been hit, before McCullers could cleanly field it. This is a rare occurrence in baseball, and the specific rule governing such situations came into play.
Under MLB rules, a batter is out if the batted ball, after being struck, touches the batter himself before it touches any fielder or passes through any fielder. In this instance, the ball ricocheted off Ohtani after leaving his bat. Home plate umpire CB Bucknor made the call, ruling Ohtani out for interference.
The decision prompted a brief but polite discussion from the Dodgers dugout, as is customary in such situations. Ohtani himself appeared somewhat surprised by the call but acknowledged the umpire’s decision and headed back to the dugout.
This play, while not directly impacting the scoring of the game, certainly provided a talking point for fans and observers. It serves as a reminder of the intricate rules and the sometimes unpredictable nature of baseball, where even the most celebrated players can be subject to unusual outs.
Shohei Ohtani has been a dominant force for the Dodgers this season, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities. Today’s outcome, while a statistical out, does not diminish his overall impact and continues to highlight the diverse ways a game can unfold. The Dodgers and Astros will continue their series with both teams aiming for a strong showing.
Wait till you see how Astros got Ohtani out
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www.mlb.com published ‘Wait till you see how Astros got Ohtani out’ at 2025-07-05 02:38. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.