Shohei Ohtani hit a record-equaling 175th home run in Major League Baseball on Friday night - just hours after his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara appeared in court over allegations he stole $16million from the Dodgers star.
Ohtani tied Hideki Matsui for the most homers by a Japan-born player with a solo shot during the first inning of Los Angeles' game against the San Diego Padres.
The $700million superstar drove an elevated outside fastball from Michael King 403ft into the center-field stands with one out, closing the Dodgers to 2-1. It was his fourth homer for the Dodgers in eight games.
On Friday afternoon, a federal judge in Los Angeles ordered Mizuhara to undergo gambling addiction treatment amid allegations he used $16m from Ohtani's bank account to pay off debts.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Friday night's game that Ohtani has handled the situation 'with flying colors'.
Shohei Ohtani hit a record-equaling 175th home run in Major League Baseball on Friday night
Against the Padres, Ohtani tied Hideki Matsui for the most homers by a Japan-born player
The $700million superstar drove an elevated outside fastball 403ft into the center-field stands
'He´s done a great job of just focusing on playing baseball and not letting it be a distraction for him,' Roberts said.
Ohtani also extended his hitting streak to eight games.
A two-time AL MVP, Ohtani signed a $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers during the offseason after six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.
Matsui played 10 seasons in the majors from 2003-12. His first seven years were with the New York Yankees followed by one season apiece with the Angels, Oakland and Tampa Bay.
Ichiro Suzuki is the only other Japanese-born player to reach the century mark in home runs with 117.
Ippei Mizuhara appeared in court over allegations he stole $16million from the Dodgers star
'He´s done a great job of just focusing on baseball,' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said
Ohtani, who signed a $700 million, 10-year deal, extended his hitting streak to eight games
Thai FM offers to resign after cabinet reshuffle
China makes continuous efforts to protect intangible cultural heritage
China hosts 135th Canton Fair in Guangzhou
IDC: China's GenAI sector investment surges
50 migrants reported missing and 9 rescued after their boat overturns off Spanish Atlantic island
Chinese companies set new digging record in tunnelling projects in Nepal
Xiaomi's first electric vehicle put on display, drawing crowds
Xiaomi's first electric vehicle put on display, drawing crowds
Wukesong Sports Center for 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics completed
3 officers killed, 5 wounded in Charlotte, North Carolina shootout; a suspect is dead
Red lanterns set for Chinese Lunar New Year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia