Ohtani Takes AL Home Run Lead From Judge After Going Deep Twice vs Texas Rangers

• Shohei Ohtani homered twice in the Angels’ 9-6 win over the Rangers on Monday night
• The Japanese star became the first American League player to reach 20 homers this season
• Ohtani took the lead from Yankees star Aaron Judge, who’s out due to a toe injury

There is just no stopping Shohei Ohtani right now.

The Japanese superstar homered twice on Monday night, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a come-from-behind 9-6 victory over the Texas Rangers.

Ohtani delivered the critical hits for the Angels, who moved within 5.5 games of the Rangers for first place in the American League West standings.

Ohtani hits pair of homers

Ohtani tied the game at 5-5 with a towering blast in the top of the seventh inning.

He made no mistake with Grant Anderson’s 92.9 mph sinker at the knees, launching a 459-foot home run to center field with an exit velocity of 114.1 mph.

Aaron Judge surpasses Babe Ruth's legendary figure of 60 home runs in a regular baseball season

Baseball

Ohtani delivered more heroics in the top of the 12th inning, per MLB.com.

He blasted the first pitch of the inning to left field for a two-run opposite-field homer, giving the Angels a 7-5 lead.

Ohtani’s first extra-inning home run of his career proved to be the difference as the Angels improved their record to 37-31.

Ohtani takes the lead

Ohtani has been on fire in the month of June, posting a slash line of .391/.442/.848 with five homers and 12 RBIs.

Ohtani’s power surge has seen him move past New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez in the home run race.

He is the first American League player to breach the 20-homer mark this season, per CBS Sports.

Judge and Alvarez have been stuck at 19 and 17 homers, respectively, after they suffered injuries this month.

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge makes baseball history with 62nd home run of American League season

Baseball

Judge injured his toe when he collided with the fence in right field at Dodger Stadium on June 3 while making a stunning catch.

Alvarez, on the other hand, was placed on the Astros’ injured list due to a right oblique discomfort.

Ohtani is just two homers away from tying Pete Alonso for the lead in the Majors. Alonso suffered a wrist injury against the Atlanta Braves and is expected to be out for at least three to four weeks.

De La Cruz leads Reds past Dodgers

Sports Brief recently reported on Elly De La Cruz's spectacular performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He hit a homer and a triple in the Cincinnati Reds' 8-6 win.

De La Cruz's first career homer traveled 458 feet.