Birch: Only Johnson and Martinez have equal performance
■ Angels 4-2 Athletics (Japan time 30th, Anaheim)
Angels pitcher Shohei Otani scored his 15th win with 8 innings, 2 hits, no runs, and 10 strikeouts once morest the Athletics on the 29th (Japan time 30th). He pitched well with no hits and no runs until the 8th inning with two outs. The two-sword style, which has set numerous records, accumulated a tremendous number on this day as well.
Matt Birch, a record maniac in the Angels public relations department, introduced Ohtani’s record of 27 starts, 15 wins, a 2.35 ERA, and a 11.91 strikeout rate (SO/9). He said, “Only Randy Johnson (1997) and Pedro Martinez (1999) have equal (or better) performance.”
Canadian broadcaster TSN Sports’ “Stats Center” said, “In AL history, Shohei Ohtani and Pedro Ohtani recorded 0 earned runs, 1 walk or less, 2 hits or less, and 10 or more strikeouts in 3 games. Martinez (2000 and 2002) only,” he said, showing how stable he is alongside Hall of Fame pitchers.
In addition, Otani also hit 4 times with 2 hits and 1 RBI in 4 at bats for the 40th time this season. MLB official Sarah Langs said, “It’s the fourth time Shohei Ohtani has struck out 10 or more with multiple hits this season, making 1985 the most number since 1901. He is on par with Dwight Gooden in 2018,” he praised the achievement.
(Full-Count editorial department)
