Ohtani’s 52nd HR Sparks Dodgers’ Clinch as Kershaw Soaks in Ovation

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 20, 2025) - Shohei Ohtani launched his 52nd home run of the season and the Los Angeles Dodgers secured a 6-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants, clinching a postseason berth, while veteran Clayton Kershaw received a standing ovation in what may have been his final home start.

In a packed Dodger Stadium, Ohtani belted a two-run shot in the fifth inning off Giants reliever Camilo Doval, extending Los Angeles’s lead and marking the sixth player ever to record back-to-back 50+ home run seasons. Moments later, Mookie Betts followed with a solo blast, putting the game out of reach.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hailed Ohtani’s power surge as “a defining moment in our push for October,” underscoring the two-way star’s impact as Los Angeles clinches a 13th straight playoff appearance.

Clayton Kershaw, announcing his retirement at season’s end, took the mound earlier Friday and battled through 4⅓ innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out six. Manager Roberts removed him mid-inning to a prolonged ovation, hugging the future Hall of Famer before he took his curtain call.

Los Angeles drew first blood in the third when Will Smith scored on a fielder’s choice, setting the tone for Ohtani’s heroics. After San Francisco narrowed the gap in the fourth, Ohtani’s homer in the fifth restored a two-run cushion. The Dodgers tacked on an insurance run in the eighth on a Gavin Lux single.

With the win, the Dodgers maintain control of the National League West and head into their regular-season finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks riding a wave of momentum. Ohtani’s milestone and Kershaw’s farewell underscore a season defined by both rising talent and enduring legacy.