Pitcher Shohei Ohtani achieves an extraordinary milestone during his comeback game at Angel Stadium, but the evening concludes disastrously for the Dodgers.
Shohei Ohtani, the two-way superstar, faced his former team, the Los Angeles Angels, for the first time as a pitcher on Wednesday night. After signing a record $700 million contract with the Dodgers following the 2023 season, Ohtani's highly anticipated return to Angel Stadium was marked by several key statistics and outcomes.
Pitching Performance
Ohtani pitched for 4 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and four runs. He struck out seven batters, including Mike Trout twice, with the second strikeout coming on a 101 mph fastball in the fourth inning. Despite his best efforts, Ohtani struggled in the fifth inning, allowing three consecutive one-out hits, leading to Zach Neto’s two-run double. Ohtani left the game after Neto's double, with Anthony Banda taking over.
Resilience and Comeback
Despite being with the Dodgers, Ohtani still managed to entertain the crowd at Angel Stadium with his versatile skills. He tripled and scored as the leadoff hitter before taking the mound.
Inning Breakdown
Ohtani was sharp in the first three innings but struggled in the fifth. He gave up a home run to Taylor Ward in the second inning. In the fourth inning, Ohtani struck out Mike Trout with a 101-mph fastball.
Overall Impact
Despite the mixed performance, Ohtani's outing was his longest since returning to pitching two months prior. However, he didn't finish the fifth inning, which compromised his ability to secure a win. Ohtani pitched a season-high of 80 pitches, with 50 going for strikes.
Notable Moments
- Shohei Ohtani struck out Zach Neto in the bottom of the first inning, making him the first starting pitcher since at least 1900 to hit a leadoff triple and then strike out the first batter he faced in the same game.
- In the fourth inning, Ohtani struck out Mike Trout with a 101-mph fastball, their first encounter since the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship game.
- The Angels have now won seven straight games against their interleague rivals from Los Angeles.
- The Dodgers fell out of first place in the National League West for the first time since April 28, thanks to the Padres' 11-1 win over the Giants.
- Shohei Ohtani's last pitch in Angel Stadium was on Aug. 23, 2023, against the Reds, where he exited due to an elbow injury.
Game Summary
The game was a potentially crucial losing effort for the Los Angeles Angels, as they were unable to hold onto the lead given to them by Logan O'Hoppe's line-drive single in the eighth inning. Kenley Jansen worked the ninth for his 470th career save.
Impact on the Standings
The Dodgers now trail the Padres by a full game in the standings, as they continue their pursuit of a playoff spot. The Angels, on the other hand, remain in the hunt for a wildcard spot, with their seven-game winning streak against the Dodgers proving to be a valuable boost to their confidence.
[1] Source: MLB.com
- Despite the mixed results, Shohei Ohtani's pitching performance against his former team on Wednesday night included a record-setting moment, as he became the first starting pitcher since at least 1900 to hit a leadoff triple and then strike out the first batter he faced in the same game.
- Ohtani's return to Angel Stadium not only presented a challenging game for the Dodgers but also offered a tantalizing mix of international sports: baseball and MMA, as Ohtani showcased his versatile skills, tripling and scoring before taking the mound.
- In the MLB season, Shohei Ohtani's longest outing since returning to pitching took place in the crucial game against the Angels, even though he left the game after the fifth inning and was unable to secure a win.
- The Dodgers, following a record $700 million contract for Ohtani, faced a significant setback in the National League West standings, as their seven-game losing streak to the Angels cost them first place, with the Padres now in the lead.
- The Angels, in their pursuit of a wildcard spot, benefited greatly from their recent success against the Dodgers, marked by seven consecutive wins, which hopefully serves as a momentum booster for the remainder of the season.
