Shohei Ohtani Launches Bat Flip for the Ages After Clutch Homer vs Yankees: Video

• Shohei Ohtani hit his 35th homer of the season in Monday’s win against the Yankees
• The Japanese superstar celebrated his game-tying two-run blast with an epic bat flip
• Ohtani remains on pace to match Aaron Judge’s American League record for homers

Shohei Ohtani wouldn’t let the Los Angeles Angels suffer another heart-breaking defeat on Monday night against the New York Yankees.

The Japanese star launched a clutch two-run homer off Michael King in the bottom of the seventh inning to knot the score at 3-3.

What caught the eye of sports fans everywhere was Ohtani’s reaction after making contact with the baseball, launching a bat flip for the ages even before the home run was confirmed.

Ohtani celebrating like that was surprising, to say the least, as he doesn’t usually show that much emotion when hitting dingers.

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Ohtani sparks rally for Angels

This was different, though. He knew his teammates needed a spark after their disappointing loss the night before.

The Angels looked like they were on their way to winning the series against the Houston Astros on Sunday after taking a 7-3 lead into the eighth inning.

There’s no such thing as a safe lead for the LA team, who allowed six runs in the eighth and ninth innings to lose 9-8.

Ohtani’s blast was just what the doctor ordered for the Angels. They held the Yankees scoreless the rest of the game and pulled off the victory in the tenth inning through a walk-off single by Michael Stefanic, per ESPN.

Ohtani targets home run record

It was an important victory for the Angels, who moved within 5.5 games of the Astros for the final wildcard spot in the American League.

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Baseball

Ohtani played a huge part in the win, going 3 for 4 with a walk and recording one homer and two RBIs. It was the third straight contest with a homer for the 2021 MVP, who surpassed his total of 34 dingers last season.

He managed to accomplish that through the Angels’ first 95 games this season, with the Japanese star’s home run tally now sitting at 35, per MLB.com.

Ohtani has his eyes set on Aaron Judge’s AL record of 62 homers, which the Yankees slugger posted with much fanfare last season.

Guerrero Jr. makes history

Sports Brief recently reported on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. winning the 2023 Home Run Derby.

He defeated Randy Arozarena 25-23 in the championship round to capture a title that eluded him four years ago.

The Toronto Blue Jays star made history as he joined his father in the Home Run Derby winner's circle.