Must-See MLB Highlights From Friday (September 4, 2020)

On a day with a whopping 20 different MLB games, Friday night was “Sho-time” as Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani earned his first career walk-off hit while Freddie Freeman belted his first career Grand Slam and the Orioles beat the Yankees for the first time in a LOOOOONG time. While September 4th had plenty of firsts, Ronald Acuna, Mike Trout, and Fernando Tatis Jr. all did something that fans have become very accustomed to.

Enjoy the best highlights from Friday’s MLB action all in one place:

*Via @MLB on Twitter/YouTube

Sho-Time in LA

It was showtime in Los Angeles on Friday night as Shohei Ohtani drove in the game-ending run for the first time in his promising career.

First career walk-off for Shohei Ohtani! pic.twitter.com/HthRIE8RY9
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) September 5, 2020

HR Leaders

Not to be outdone by teammate Shohei Ohtani, reigning MVP Mike Trout belted his league-leading 14th HR of the season that also tied him with Tim Salmon for the second most career HRs in Angels franchise history (299). The leading MVP candidate in the NL had to answer Trout of course with his 14th HR of the season as well.

2️⃣9️⃣9️⃣@MikeTrout is tied for the most homers in @Angels history! pic.twitter.com/9DXcvmQ8Y7
— MLB (@MLB) September 5, 2020

Tatis had to match Trout at 14. 💪 pic.twitter.com/fZOqkOE4t5
— MLB (@MLB) September 5, 2020

Duvall the Way Back

New Atlanta Brave Tommy Milone was making his second start for the Braves since being traded before the deadline, and got roughed up during his first start (27.00 ERA, 3.429 WHIP in 2.1 IP). It was looking like another bad outing for Milone on Friday until Duvall brought this Yan Gomes HR back into the park in the play of the day.

Duuuvall! pic.twitter.com/4iXLaLny1F
— MLB (@MLB) September 4, 2020

Yu Can't Be Stopped

During Yu Darvish’s first season in Chicago after signing a 6y/$128M contract, he missed the majority of the year before bouncing back in 2019 with a subpar 3.98 ERA – a far cry from his Cy Young production during his pre-Tommy John days. However, as a 33-year-old in 2020, Darvish has never looked better and has emerged as the favorite for the NL Cy Young Award as he managed to somehow lower his NL-leading 1.47 ERA with another 7-inning gem.

7 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 11 Ks

Another dominant outing by Yu.

(MLB x @GEICO) pic.twitter.com/c1DnVNPvIz
— MLB (@MLB) September 5, 2020

LAD-COL Late Battle

Down three runs in the 8th inning, Kevin Pillar made a great impression on his new teammates in Denver as the former Red Sox OF belted a Grand Slam to take the late lead in Dodger Stadium. However, the best team in the league punched right back as AJ Pollock flipped the script in the bottom half of the inning to re-gain the lead before the Dodgers’ hitters dropped dagger after dagger en route to a 4-run win.

Kevin Pillar flipped the script. pic.twitter.com/V3mmpf5Vcp
— MLB (@MLB) September 5, 2020

AJ Pollock flipped the script. pic.twitter.com/n8R6hfArC8
— MLB (@MLB) September 5, 2020

3-HR Day for Acuna

The Atlanta Braves sensation started his day by blasting his 17th career leadoff HR, tying an Atlanta Braves franchise record for the most all-time leadoff HR in just his third (shortened) season. His day would conclude with two more dingers during the double-header against the defending champs.

Three homers on the day for @ronaldacunajr24! pic.twitter.com/2BGUdhLmDt
— MLB (@MLB) September 5, 2020

Aim for the bushes! pic.twitter.com/gKoFRA8XUU
— MLB (@MLB) September 4, 2020

Even when @ronaldacunajr24 "pops up" good things happen. pic.twitter.com/UYme24ahVa
— MLB (@MLB) September 4, 2020

First Slam for Freddie

Entering September 4th, Freddie Freeman had 232 career bombs and not a single four-RBI hit. That all changed Friday as he ended his Slam-less streak (the 2nd most HR before a player’s 1st HR in MLB history) to tie the game against the champs.

11th season, 1st career grand slam for Freddie Freeman

He picked a good time for it. pic.twitter.com/6vLwS0A7pe
— MLB (@MLB) September 5, 2020

O's End the Streak

The Baltimore Orioles lost to the New York Yankees at their own ballpark in Camden Yards 18 STRAIGHT times. The all-time MLB record for consecutive losses to one team at home is 19. The O’s would’ve tied the record on this night if it wasn’t for a player who hadn’t been there for the previous losses to the evil empire: Ryan Mountcastle. Baltimore’s top-5 prospect has quickly performed like the team’s best player since being called up a couple weeks ago and is responsible for ending the team’s most embarrassing streak. O’s fans are already looking into buying the jersey.