Shohei Ohtani surpasses Hideo Nomo with historic feat — 2.04 ERA through first 20 Dodgers starts ranks 3rd in franchise history; also sets a unique MLB record
Ohtani (31) started on the road against the Astros and delivered a strong outing, throwing a season-high 7 innings while allowing 4 hits, 2 runs, and striking out 8. Despite the effort, he received little run support and took his second loss of the season. However, it was later revealed that he achieved a milestone by surpassing Nomo.
He allowed two solo home runs—including his first of the season—but completed 7 innings for the first time in three years, dating back to his complete-game shutout on July 27, 2023, with the Angels against the Tigers. He also reached the qualifying innings threshold again, and his ERA dropped to 0.97, the best in the league.
According to MLB.com reporter Sarah Langs, this was Ohtani’s 20th start with the Dodgers. Since ERA became an official stat in the National League in 1912, the lowest ERAs through a pitcher’s first 20 starts with the Dodgers are:
- 1.37 by Larry Cheney (1915–16)
- 1.73 by Burleigh Grimes (1918)
- 2.04 by Ohtani (3rd all-time)
The previous third-place mark was 2.08 by Nomo in 1995, meaning Ohtani officially surpassed him with this outing.
Additionally, the analytics account Codify Baseball noted a rare statistical milestone:
Ohtani is the first pitcher in MLB history to have:
- At least 9 starts
- 50+ innings pitched
- 4 or fewer earned runs
- 2 or fewer wins
This season, he has made 6 starts, pitching 37 innings with a 2–2 record and just 4 earned runs. In his final 3 starts of last season, he threw 14⅔ innings with 0 earned runs and no decisions.