newYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Shohei Ohtani Follows a strict routine in almost every aspect of his life. When his latest mound debut was delayed by 12 minutes at the pregame ceremony honoring the Angels’ 2002 World Series champion, his careful preparation before the pitch was thrown took a hit.
A slightly bumpy start still led to an incredible second straight night for the two-way superstar.
Ohtani played a career-high 13 overs in eight major two-hit balls, and the AL MVP also reached base three times. angel’ 5-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Los Angeles Angels throw starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, June 22, 2022.
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
After dropping two singles for a delayed start in the first innings, Ohtani (6-4) faced 16 straight Royals and 23 of the final 24 batsmen. Matching the longest start of his major league career, he allowed just one baserunner in his final seven innings – on a walk quickly erased by a double play.
Ohtani said through his translator, “I think the biggest thing was to get a zero in the first innings after dropping the first two hits.” “I was able to do that, and it set the tone for the game. I wanted to go as long as I could, but I wasn’t really thinking about the pitch count at the start of the game.”
With the backdrop of a rare Southern California lightning storm illuminating the sky not far from the center field in the Big A, Ohtani also took another two walks up to the plate in his latest electrifying two-way display.
One night when Ohtani hit two three-run homers and scored a career-high eight runs in an extra innings defeat, he set a new personal best for a strikeout by fanning Emmanuel Rivera on his 108th and final pitch. .
Angels lose wild game in extra innings for Royals
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr (7) throws to first dismissal during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to Andrew Velazquez of the Los Angeles Angels.
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
“He has us on our backs,” Angels interim manager Phil Nevin said. “I thought about taking him to eighth, and he was adamant: ‘No. It’s mine. I’m staying.’ … what a day. What is their performance?”
David McKinnon got his first major league hit with an RBI single in seventh for the Angels, who avoided a series sweep with their fourth win in six games overall. Luis Rengifo had an RBI double in seventh before scoring that single to the right by McKinnon, who received his first career RBI with a sacrificial fly in two innings.
After scoring 18 runs in the last two matches at the Angel Stadium, the Royals were out for the second time in four days and the 10th time this season. Kansas City Still five out of seven have won.
“It was a performance,” said Royals manager Mike Matheny. “It’s a very unique display of pitches. I don’t think you’ll find as many weapons as we saw today. He was throwing three different sliders, plus a cutter and a curve. That’s when the split started to move.” Strikeouts really started to happen, and he has 100 (mph) in the tank that he rarely showed. … It’s going to be a tough day at the plate.”
Ohtani has been unbeaten on the mound lately, conceding just one run in three starts in his last 20 innings. In his most recent home run two weeks ago, he played seven innings of a one-run ball and was also involved in a victory that broke the Angels’ franchise-record 14-game skid.
Whit Merifield and Andrew Benintendi singled out the Royals’ first two at-bats against Ohtani, but they later set off every batsman until Merrifield scored one each in the sixth – and Benintendi quickly Involved in a double play.
Ohtani’s fastball topped 99 mph twice in the second half of his debut, while he dodged Kansas City, receiving 34 combined strikes on swing-and-miss or call strikes.
Angels’ Michael Lorenzen Takes Issue With Baseball Shortage: ‘They’ve Gotta Hurt Someone’
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17), reacts after the top of the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 in Anaheim, Calif.
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Daniel Lynch (3-7) was not as effective for the Royals initially, but the left-hander held off the Angels until he loaded base on two walks in the fifth and an infield single. Lynch, who went after McKinnon’s sacrifice, made three hits and five walks on a career-high 104 pitches.
mike trout It was a day of rest for the Angels, with their struggling lineup definitely lacking in punch. But McKinnon emerged as the team’s impossible cleanup hitter, the first major league hit since being called up last weekend for his MLB debut.
McKinnon was pleased with the swings of his success, but other aspects of the game also fascinated him.
“I have to play behind Shohei in the field and see how good he is,” McKinnon said. “It’s crazy to be here.”
instructor room
ROYALS: C Salvador Perez sat out on Tuesday night after re-injuring his left thumb on a swing, but Matheny said the team is still determining the severity of the injury after an MRI exam.
Angels: RHP Jimmy Hurget moved to a 15-day injured list with a right shoulder injury. Right-handers Elvis Peguero and Oliver Ortega came from Triple-A Salt Lake, while inconsistent rookie Reed Detters went down just six starts after throwing a no-hitter.
Taylor Ward (3) of the Los Angeles Angels slides home to score the sacrificial fly hit by David McKinnon during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 in Anaheim, Calif.
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Click here to get Fox News App
next
Royals: Jack Greinke He is expected to come off the injured list starting Friday when Kansas City opens the three-game weekend series at home oakland, Greenke (0-4, 5.05 ERA) moved to IL three weeks ago with a strained forearm.
Angels: After a day off at home, Los Angeles opened a three-game weekend series against Seattle Friday night. Neither team had confirmed the starter.