Japanese two-way baseball star Ohtani Shohei of the Los Angeles Angels has hit his 20th homer of the season.

On Saturday, Ohtani started as the leadoff designated hitter at the home ground of the Atlanta Braves.

He grounded out in his first at bat. But he got his first hit for the second half of the season in the third inning by crushing a fastball into right field.

In his third at bat in the fifth inning, Ohtani belted a solo homer into the stands on the right side of the stadium.

It was his first homer in nine games, and the 20th for the season. It clocked 177 kilometers per hour and flew 110 meters, barely reaching into the right-field stands.

The Angels lost the game 2-7, extending their losing streak to five.

Ohtani was the losing pitcher on the previous day, after pitching well till the sixth inning.

Saturday's homerun means Ohtani has hit 20 homers two seasons in a row, and for the third time overall.

His record follows that of Matsui Hideki, who achieved 20 homers five times among Japanese major leaguer players.