Ohtani strikes out career-high 13 in Angels’ 5-0 win over KC
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out a career-high 13 over eight dominant innings of two-hit ball, and the AL MVP additionally reached base 3 times within the Los Angeles Angels’ 5-0 victory over the Kansas Metropolis Royals on Wednesday night time.
After giving up two singles to start out the primary, Ohtani (6-4) retired 16 straight Royals and 23 of the ultimate 24 batters he confronted. Whereas matching the longest begin of his main league profession, he allowed only one baserunner over his last seven innings — on a stroll that was rapidly erased by a double play.
With the backdrop of a uncommon Southern California lightning storm illuminating the sky far past heart area on the Massive A, Ohtani additionally had a single and two walks on the plate in his newest electrifying two-way efficiency.
One night time after Ohtani hit two three-run homers and drove in a career-high eight runs in an extra-inning loss, he set a brand new profession mark for strikeouts by fanning Emmanuel Rivera on his 108th and last pitch.
David MacKinnon bought his first main league hit with an RBI single within the seventh for the Angels, who averted a collection sweep with their fourth victory in six video games total. Luis Rengifo had an RBI double within the seventh earlier than scoring on that single to proper by MacKinnon, who bought his first profession RBI two innings earlier with a sacrifice fly.
After scoring 18 runs within the earlier two video games at Angel Stadium, the Royals have been shut out for the second time in 4 days and the tenth time this season. Kansas Metropolis nonetheless has gained 5 of seven.
However Ohtani is unbeatable on the mound recently, permitting only one run in his final 20 innings over three begins. In his most up-to-date dwelling begin two weeks in the past, he pitched seven innings of one-run ball and likewise homered in a victory that snapped the Angels’ franchise-record 14-game skid.
Whit Merrifield and Andrew Benintendi singled within the Royals’ first two at-bats towards Ohtani, however the Angels’ two-way celebrity then set down each batter he confronted till Merrifield drew a one-out stroll within the sixth — and Benintendi rapidly grounded right into a double play.
Ohtani’s fastball topped 99 mph twice within the second half of his begin whereas he dazzled Kansas Metropolis, getting a whopping 34 mixed strikes on swing-and-misses or referred to as strikes.
Daniel Lynch (3-7) wasn’t as efficient for the Royals early on, however the left-hander resourcefully shut down the Angels till they loaded the bases within the fifth on two walks and an infield single. Lynch, who left after MacKinnon’s sacrifice fly, gave up three hits and 5 walks on a career-high 104 pitches.
Mike Trout bought a relaxation day for the Angels, leaving their struggling lineup decidedly missing punch. However MacKinnon got here via because the group’s inconceivable cleanup hitter, getting first main league hit after getting referred to as up final weekend for his MLB debut.
Andrew Velazquez and Taylor Ward drove in insurance coverage runs within the eighth for Los Angeles.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: C Salvador Perez sat out after reinjuring his left thumb on a swing Tuesday night time, however supervisor Mike Matheny stated the group continues to be figuring out the seriousness of the damage after an MRI examination.
Angels: RHP Jimmy Herget went on the 15-day injured listing with a proper shoulder impingement. Proper-handers Elvis Peguero and Oliver Ortega got here up from Triple-A Salt Lake, whereas inconsistent rookie Reid Detmers went down simply six begins after throwing a no-hitter.
UP NEXT
Royals: Zack Greinke is predicted to come back off the injured listing Friday to start out when Kansas Metropolis opens a three-game weekend collection at dwelling towards Oakland. Greinke (0-4, 5.05 ERA) went on the IL three weeks in the past with a strained forearm.
Angels: After a time without work at dwelling, Los Angeles opens a three-game weekend collection towards Seattle on Friday night time. Neither group had confirmed a starter.
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