Angels two-way player Shohi Ohtani’s third start of the season had more ups and downs than a rollercoaster at nearby Disneyland.
But the 26-year-old’s outing would fall short in history as he became the first MLB home-run leader to make an early start in a game as Babe Ruth did it on 13 June 1921. Ohtani’s seven home runs were recorded on Monday. For the league lead, and he had his first win since 2018 at the mound, before having Tee John surgery.
Ohtani, who has excelled as a hitter but struggled with the command as a pitcher until now in 2021, began an equally ominous note on the mound at night. In the first innings, Hitler gave up four runs, walked two batsmen and hit the third with a pitch. A walk was a major problem for Ohtani, who walked more than an innings after entering the game, and it looked like he wasn’t going to make it in the second inning.
Then, things began to click, and suddenly she changed into a dominating pitcher throughout her American career. Ohtani retained 12 of the next 13 batsmen, nine of whom faced him. His slider was disastrous, disappointing the Rangers lineup in a 9–4 win.
And on the offensive side, Ohtani was excellent once again. He scored two of the Angels’ nine and scored three others. At one point, he hit an 113.8 mph drive.
With the improved command shown on Monday, Ohtani could turn into one of the league’s most effective players at the mound and at the plate. But he could not get into a normal pitching rhythm this season, as a blister kept him off the mound for two weeks after his first start.
And, unfortunately, Ohtani’s night was short as another blister formed on his throwing hand. The removal was precautionary, and Ohtani said he was “not worried at all” and that it was a separate blister that kept him away from the mound.
All in all, he left a lot of Globe Life fields to talk to.
Angels manager Joe Madden told ESPN.
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