Mets snap Shohei Ohtani’s impressive 36-game stolen base streak in postseason showdown

Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani and the LA Dodgers opened their National League Championship Series against the New York Mets on Sunday. The Dodgers were coming off a 3-2 victory in their best-of-five NLDS against the San Diego Padres.

Sunday's game saw the Dodgers take a strong start, leading by two runs in the first inning. Shohei Ohtani added to their lead in the second inning with an RBI single off Kodai Senga, driving in Gavin Lux.

However, at the end of the inning, Ohtani was caught stealing while attempting to reach second base. It marked the first time the four-time All-Star had been caught stealing in almost three months.

Shohei Ohtani was on an impressive 36-game streak of successful stolen bases, which came to an end when he was thrown out by Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez.

His last time being caught stealing before that was on July 22, when San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey threw him out while he was attempting to steal second base.

After being caught stealing, Ohtani hit a single in the fourth inning, bringing in another run for his team. Shortly after, Freddie Freeman also hit a single, and Ohtani scored another run, making the score 6-0.

In the 2024 season, Ohtani has achieved several milestones, including becoming the first player to enter the 50-50 club.

So far this season, he is hitting .310 with 54 home runs, 130 RBIs and a 1.036 OPS. He has stolen 59 bases in 63 attempts.

Shohei Ohtani acknowledges team support following the Dodgers' 9-0 win in Game 1 of the NLCS

In the eighth inning of the NLCS opening game, Mookie Betts stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded: Enrique Hernández at third base, Kevin Kiermaier at second base and Shohei Ohtani on first base.

Betts then hit a bases-clearing double off Mets' pitcher Jose Butto, making the score 9-0 and leading the Dodgers to victory. After the game, Dodgers leadoff hitter Shohei Ohtani spoke when asked about the team’s performance (via Fox Sports MLB):

'Everybody is doing their job, and scoring early is key to our game. Obviously, the pitching staff, starting with Jack, and the bullpen have been awesome.'

The Dodgers are scheduled to face the Mets again on Monday in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium.