2023-06-28 04:33:00
Shohei Ohtani enjoys good offensive performances when he also plays as a pitcher. On Tuesday night, Ohtani contributed offensively and defensively to a 4-2 Los Angeles Angels triumph over the Chicago White Sox.
In addition to pitching just over six innings, Ohtani hit two homers to extend his lead at the top of MLB in this regard. It was the third time in his last four starts that he had homered.
He became the first pitcher since Rick Wise in August 1973 to homer in at least three starts in the same month.
“I think I pitched well today and this year when I pitch I usually hit well. I’m trying to keep up the pace,” Ohtani said via a translator.
On the mound, Ohtani limited White Sox hitters to four hits and a run in addition to passing 10 batters in the mitt. It was the sixth time this season that the Japanese had at least 10 strikeouts. Ohtani was eventually pulled from the game following a total of 102 pitches, spread over six and a third working innings.
“I felt good, but I would have liked to finish the seventh run. I’m happy with the win,” Ohtani said.
Ohtani’s game started off strong in the first set. After striking out the first three batters he faced in his pitching role, including two on strikes, Ohtani dispatched a pitch from Michael Kopech 418 feet from the plate, to open the scoring with his 27th homer of the season .
In the bottom of the seventh inning, moments following being pulled off the mound, Ohtani returned to bat with the Angels’ lead down to just one run. This time, it was Touki Toussaint who fell victim to the power of the Japanese, who hit his second homer of the game to restore a two-run priority to Los Angeles.
With his two long balls, Ohtani now holds a three homer lead over Matt Olson (25) at the top of the Majors.
Mike Moustakas and David Fletcher each drove in a run for the Angels.
The result might have been different for the Angels, who played with fire in the ninth inning. After allowing a run, which closed the gap to 4-2, the Angels allowed Chicago to fill the trails. They were, however, able to pull off three straight outs to end the game.
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