LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani passed Ichiro Suzuki for the longest on-base streak by a Japanese-born player on Friday night.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star singled in the fifth inning against Kumar Rocker of the Texas Rangers, extending his streak to 44 games. It was his 13th game reaching base in as many tries this season. His streak began on Aug. 24, and lasted the final 31 games of last season.
“He’s taking walks, he’s getting hits, and he really hasn’t got going yet,” manager Dave Roberts said.
Ohtani struck out once and was intentionally walked in the eighth with runners on first and second.
“Players like to hit, they like to swing the bat, but he's smart enough to know that if they're not going to pitch to him, they're going to pitch around him, then it's a better plan to take the walk,” Roberts said.
Ohtani is tied with Len Koenecke (1934) and Zack Wheat (1919-1920) for the fifth-longest on-base streak in Dodger franchise history. He has reached base safely in each of his seven bobblehead nights as a Dodger.
“I thought he was going to hit a home run tonight,” Roberts said, "and I think he wanted a home run tonight on his bobblehead night, but it just wasn’t to be.”
Suzuki reached base in 43 consecutive games in 2009 with the Seattle Mariners. Ohtani has said he admired Suzuki while growing up.
Ohtani had already passed the Hall of Famer in another category. In 2024, Ohtani's 59 stolen bases broke Suzuki's record for steals by a Japanese-born player in a season. Suzuki had 56 in 2001.
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Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani raises his Hans after hitting a foul ball during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, April 10, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani heads to first for a single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, April 10, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NEW YORK (AP) — Jeff McNeil had two hits in his return to Citi Field, including a run-scoring single in a three-run ninth inning that helped the Athletics beat the New York Mets 4-0 on Friday night as their pitchers extended a scoreless streak to 26 innings.
Mets starter Clay Holmes left after 5 1/3 innings with left hamstring tightness. New York has three runs and 20 hits during a three-game losing streak.
McNeil, traded to the A's in December after spending his first eight big league seasons with the Mets, received a warm ovation before his first at-bat and tipped the bill of his helmet twice. The 2022 NL batting champion doubled in the fourth and at second base robbed Carson Benge of a hit to end the fifth.
Shea Langeliers had an RBI single in the third off Holmes (2-1) and Denzel Clarke hit a two-run single in the ninth for the Athletics, who have pitched 25 straight scoreless innings against the Mets and Yankees dating to Tuesday night.
Jack Perkins (1-0), the third of five pitchers, allowed three hits over 2 1/3 innings in relief of J.T. Ginn, who gave up one hit over four innings in his first start this season.
With runners at the corners with no outs in the sixth, A's first baseman Nick Kurtz fielded Jared Young’s grounder and threw to third to nab Francisco Lindor, who broke back to the bag after taking off for home. Perkins then got Luis Robert Jr. to hit into a double play.
Holmes (2-1) allowed five hits.
Athletics LHP Jacob Lopez (0-1, 6.48 ERA) faces Mets RHP Kodai Senga (0-1, 3.09 ERA) on Saturday.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor, right, and Francisco Alvarez, left, encourae pitcher Tobias Myers (32) before he leaves during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Friday, April 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) reacts after being thrown out at first base during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Friday, April 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Athletics' Jeff McNeil (22) throws out New York Mets' Luis Robert Jr. at first base after forcing out New York Mets' Jared Young (29) for a double play during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Athletics' Jeff McNeil (22) runs to first base for an RBI single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, April 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Athletics' Jeff McNeil follows through on a double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, April 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
