Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits first homer of 2026 to snap third-longest HR-drought of career

The four-time MVP finally broke through with a game-tying three-run shot against the Nationals.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:06pm by Ben Kaplan

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An abstract expressionist painting in neon colors depicting the powerful swing and explosive energy of a baseball player hitting a home run, with the player's body and the ball dissolving into vibrant brushstrokes.Ohtani's timely homer sparks the Dodgers' offense in a crucial early-season matchup.San Francisco Today

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run of the 2026 MLB season, a game-tying three-run shot off Miles Mikolas of the Washington Nationals. The homer snapped the third-longest home run drought to start a season in Ohtani's nine-year career.

Why it matters

Ohtani is one of the biggest stars in baseball and a two-way player who excels both on the mound and at the plate. His power hitting has been a bit slow to start the 2026 campaign, so this homer was an important breakthrough for the Dodgers' offense.

The details

Through the first six games of the 2026 season, Ohtani was hitting just .167 without a home run. His three-run shot in the seventh game against the Nationals tied the game in a key early-season matchup. This was the third-longest home run drought to start a season in Ohtani's career, behind only 2022 (8 games) and 2024 (9 games).

  • Ohtani hit his first homer of the 2026 season in the seventh game of the year against the Nationals.
  • In 2022, Ohtani hit his first homer in his eighth game of the season.
  • In 2024, Ohtani's first homer of the season came in his ninth game.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

A two-way superstar for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is on the Hall of Fame track, excelling both as a pitcher and hitter. He is a four-time MLB MVP.

Miles Mikolas

The starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals who gave up Ohtani's game-tying three-run homer in the seventh inning.

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The takeaway

Ohtani's power hitting has been a bit slow to start the 2026 season, so this important home run breakthrough could help spark his offense and the Dodgers' lineup as they look to make another deep playoff run.