Shohei Ohtani puts up masterful, 11-strikeout performance in Angels’ win
Shohei Ohtani never stops pushing to master his craft.
Consider that last week, Ohtani said he wanted to pitch more 1-2-3 innings and that he was tired of issuing so many walks (as many as five on April 11). The two-way ace, after an abbreviated-by-rain start in Boston, of course, achieved his goal during his next full appearance on the mound. Ohtani struck out 11 batters and gave up two hits in Friday’s 2-0 win over the Kansas City Royals at Angel Stadium. The game lasted 2 hours, 3 minutes.
Ohtani also set a franchise record for ERA over five starts (0.64) and leads the majors. Since 2022, he also has the most games with 10 or more strikeouts.
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“Well he didn’t walk the leadoff hitter. I think that’s the first outing all year,†manager Phil Nevin joked afterward. the game. “If I get a chance to say something negative about Shohei, I gotta throw it in there, right? No, he was great.â€
Forget the walks for now, that Ohtani was facing a lowly Royals lineup (they are 4-16) and that he can snuff out any batter’s weakness even on a “bad†day.
Batters are hitting just .092 and slugging .115 against Ohtani this season. His arsenal and what he does with his pitches makes him a confusing pitcher to scout.
“From a hitter’s standpoint, I would have no idea what to prepare for,†Nevin said. “He’s got [a 98-mph pitch] in there, but he doesn’t usually throw the fastball a lot, but the sweeper’s kind of unhittable and he’s throwing it for strikes and in certain places. I’m glad I don’t have to face him. I’m glad he’s on my side.â€
Ohtani cruised Friday by throwing six different pitches, particularly his already nasty sweeper and his curveball — a pitch he has used just 2.4% of the time in five games.
“I mean, curveball is definitely one of my strong weapons,†Ohtani said through an interpreter. “It’s in my arsenal. I felt like I needed to use it today.â€
The way Ohtani started the game foreshadowed the damage he would inflict over his seven innings. In the first inning, he struck out the side on 12 pitches with all three batters swinging.
“I’ve seen a lot of pitchers ... but that’s the best inning I’ve ever seen,†Angels veteran catcher Chad Wallach said.
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Ohtani faced the minimum batters in an inning five times Friday, retiring them not only on strikeouts but on soft contact. He issued just two walks.
Ohtani seems on track for another major award-contending season. He was asked if he feels like he is pitching at a Cy Young Award-winning level.
“I think it’s way too early to say,†he said. “But now we’re back at .500 as a team and you’re trying to go over that .500 and stay there.â€
Logan O’Hoppe on injured list
Rookie catcher Logan O’Hoppe was put on the 10-day injured list for left shoulder inflammation.
“He’s in better spirits today, but obviously still disappointed,†Nevin said. “Everybody feels for him.â€
Wallach was added to the 40-man roster and was in the lineup Friday. His 424-foot home run to left center in the third inning accounted for the only runs in the game.
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