SHOCKING: Shohei Ohtani silences Yankees rally as Aaron Judge clash turns into a historic MVP showdown

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / May 31, 2025, 20:02 IST

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Dodger Stadium buzzed with an October-like atmosphere as the Yankees and Dodgers clashed in a high-stakes game. Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, both MVPs, electrified the crowd with home runs in the same inning, a historic first. Ultimately, the Dodgers rallied to defeat the Yankees 8-5, fueled by Ohtani's record-tying performance and setting the stage for another exciting matchup.

SHOCKING: Shohei Ohtani silences Yankees rally as Aaron Judge clash turns into a historic MVP showdown (Image Source: Getty Images)

The calendar read May, but on Friday night at Dodger Stadium, the vibe was absolutely October. The New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers, two of the best teams in baseball, were playing a crucial game. Two celebrities, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, were thrust into the spotlight. And both did not disappoint. Aaron Judge started the night with a huge home run, 446 feet into centre field. Then, Shohei Ohtani answered right away with a 417-foot homer of his own. It was the first time in baseball history that two current MVPs hit home runs in the same inning of a game.

Shohei Ohtani outshines Aaron Judge as MVP battle electrifies Dodger Stadium

The Yankees hit four home runs in the first three innings and had a 5–2 lead. But the Dodgers fought back. They scored four runs in the sixth inning and two more in the seventh to win 8–5. Yankees pitcher Max Fried, who came into the game with a perfect 7–0 record, gave up six earned runs, his worst this season.

Shohei Ohtani was the star of the night. That gave him 15 homers in May, tying a Dodgers record that hadn’t been touched since 1985. He now has 22 home runs in the team’s first 57 games and is on pace to hit 63 this year.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, “When Shohei sees another MVP like Aaron Judge across from him, it brings out the best in him.” His teammate, Tony Gonsolin, added, “Every time Shohei comes up to bat, we expect something big.”Also Read: What Happened When Aaron Judge And Shohei Ohtani Faced Off In New York Yankees And Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Rematch

Fans and Aaron Boon call Shohei Ohtani vs Aaron Judge a classic game

Over 53,000 fans packed the stadium. Tickets for private suites were as high as $15,000. Hollywood stars were in the crowd. More than 100 reporters were in the press box. Yankees manager Aaron Boone called it a special night. “There were MVPs, All-Stars, and great players all around. The stars showed up.”Aaron Judge, who now leads the American League with 19 home runs, said it best: “This is why I signed here. To play in big games, in big moments.”The Yankees and Dodgers meet again Saturday night. And all eyes will be on Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. The battle isn’t over yet.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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