Shohei Ohtani allows first homer of the season, then responds with a 2-run home run.

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani faced his first home run of the season when Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins drove one deep. However, Ohtani quickly responded with a two-run homer of his own.

During the game on Monday night, Ohtani left a breaking ball over the plate for Buxton, who sent it soaring 410 feet into the left field pavilion. This marked just the second time in six starts this season, as an opener, that Ohtani allowed a run.

In the bottom of the first inning, Ohtani made his mark by smashing a two-run homer, his 35th of the season. He sent the ball an impressive 441 feet into center field off pitcher David Festa, taking the Dodgers ahead 2-1 after Mookie Betts walked to start the inning.

Unfortunately, Ohtani struck out swinging in the third. Notably, Ohtani became the first pitcher from the Dodgers to hit a home run in the first inning since Rick Rhoden accomplished the feat in July 1977.

His recent home run streak comes at a crucial time for the Dodgers, who are struggling with a six-game home losing streak, their first since September 2017. In his outing, Ohtani pitched three innings, surrendering one run and four hits while striking out three batters and walking one, all on 46 pitches, 30 of which were strikes.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in Ohtani’s performance, stating, “I like the demeanor on the mound.” He noted that while there is room for improvement, Ohtani’s fastball and strike-throwing are developing well.

In his previous start against the San Francisco Giants, Ohtani delivered three scoreless innings as he continues to recover from elbow surgery. Last season marked his first year with the Dodgers, during which he did not pitch at all.