Shohei Ohtani sends Gwen Stefani jumping for joy after clutch homer in win over Yankees and EPIC bat flip

Shohei Ohtani added singer Gwen Stefani to his growing fanbase with a clutch home run on Monday in Anaheim before punctuating the blast with some uncharacteristic bravado.

Trailing the visiting New York Yankees, 3-1, in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Los Angeles Angels’ two-way star sent fans into hysterics with an emphatic bat flip after tying the game with his major league-leading 35th home run. 

That set the stage for pinch-hitter Michael Stefanic’s game-ending single in the 10th that gave the Angels a 4-3 win over a Yankees club that is expected to make a run at Ohtani before the August 1 trade deadline or in free agency.

But it was the home run – and the conspicuously bold bat flip – that stole the show on Monday as Stefani, an Anaheim native, was seen jumping for joy as Ohtani rounded the bases.

‘This is so incredible, hometown @Angels,’ Stefani wrote on Instagram, alongside the image of Ohtani.

Angels’ Shohei Ohtani celebrates as he rounds first after hitting a game-tying two-run homer

Gwen Stefani, a native of Anaheim, was seen jumping for joy after Ohtani’s clutch homer 

Bat flipping is a customary way of celebrating home runs in Asia and Latin America, but the practice is seen as controversial and unsportsmanlike in Major League circles.

But instead of criticism, Ohtani effortless bat flip was embraced by baseball fans on social media.

‘AN OHTANI BAT FLIP FOR THE AGES,’ tweeted one fan.

‘Shohei’s starting to get sassy in America and I’m here for it,’ added another.

Manager Phil Nevin said the bat flip was the most emotion he has seen from Ohtani, who has homered 19 times in his last 31 games.

‘We know what it does for the whole place, but you guys have to understand what it does for our dugout too. It’s massive,’ Nevin said. ‘Then to come out on top, I’m glad it wasn’t wasted.’

Ohtani is in the last year of his contract. Where he will play next season has been a source of speculation all season, but trade rumors have increased as the Aug. 1 deadline approaches and the Halos struggle to stay in contention.

Los Angeles (47-48) was in position for a wild-card berth but is 6-15 since June 20. The Angels are 5 1/2 games behind Houston for the final spot.

The off-field pressures haven’t affected Ohtani’s performance at the plate. He had three hits and increased his average to .306.

‘He wants to win in the worst way. It’s just been frustrating for him the last two weeks as it is for everybody,’ Nevin said. ‘He wants to win and he wants to win here.’

A fan holds up a sign for Shohei Ohtani during the second inning of Monday’s game in Anaheim

Ohtani’s free agency this offseason was the buzz of the recent All-Star Game in Seattle with some pondering whether a deal in the $600 million range could be possible for the two-way star.

‘I think a lot of people are lobbying for Shohei, to tell you the truth. And that was a sign of affection and that they wanted him,’ AL manager Dusty Baker said.

His future could become a topic sooner than later if the Angels continue to fade with Mike Trout sidelined by injury. The Angels entered the All-Star break losers of five straight and nine of 10 to drop below .500. The Angels said they have no intention of dealing Ohtani prior to the trade deadline, but that could change over the next few weeks.

‘I’m not really going to change anything personally, just keep it the same,’ Ohtani said. ‘I know we have a lot of injuries right now and we’re in a tough spot, but we need to hang in there because we got guys coming back soon. So try to hang in there and get as many wins until all the guys come back.’