2023-06-16 05:37:30
ARLINGTON — Shohei Ohtani did everything right Thursday night. He JMV candidate silenced the Rangers lineup from the mound for the win and added to the Angels’ offensive cause with a two-run home run to the opposite field during the Californians’ victory for 5-3 at Globe Life Field.
With the Angels leading 3-2 in the eighth, Ohtani hit a Brock Burke slider 443 feet into the second deck between left-center field. It was his 22nd home run of the season, tying Mets hitter Pete Alonso for the major league lead. In addition, it was his fourth homer of the series once morest the Rangers, leaders of the West Division of the American League.
It’s the second time in his career that Ohtani has hit four home runs and won a game as a pitcher in the same series, following doing so in June 2021 once morest the Tigers. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only other player in the Modern Era (since 1901) to get a pitching win and hit four home runs in a single series on two separate occasions was Babe Ruth. The Bambino achieved it in 1920 and 1921 once morest Senadores and Tigres, respectively. Jim Tobin of the Boston Braves did it once, in May 1942 once morest the Cubs. No one else has done it.
On Wednesday, Ohtani hit the Home run to the strongest opposing band for a left-handed hitter since Statcast started working in 2015. Thursday’s two-run homer landed in a nearly identical spot.
“I’m seeing the ball very well,” Ohtani said following the match. “I feel great with the way I’m swinging — regardless of the results — although I’m getting good results right now.”
Although the home run wasn’t as strong as Wednesday’s, its impact was felt, as it provided the Angels with a couple of much-needed cushion marks and paved the way to winning the series.
“Obviously this is a great series win once morest a team that is in first place,” Ohtani continued. “All the boys are happy because we won. So we hope the momentum continues in the next series.”
Ohtani also threw six solid innings from the mound, allowing just two runs on six hits once morest the Rangers’ potent lineup. He did it despite having to throw 29 pitches in the first inning.
In that first inning, Ohtani walked the first batter he faced and allowed a single to Adolis Garcia following a 10-pitch at-bat, but was able to escape the act without being stepped on. A two-out, two-run rally in the third inning was all the Rangers might get once morest him. Ohtani retired nine of the last 10 batters he faced starting in the fourth inning.
With Ohtani dominating on both sides of the game, Angels manager Phil Nevin thinks he should be on his way to receiving his second MVP award.
“I said this last year, and Aaron Judge is like a son to me, but until someone does both, [Ohtani] it should be MVP,” Nevin said. “I mean, what was the difference between two years ago [cuando Ohtani se llevó el JMV] and last year? Someone has to explain it to me, because last year he was even better and he didn’t win it.”
“So yeah, as long as he’s doing what he’s doing, and we’re doing what we’re planning to do. Yes, no doubt.”
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