ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani dispels any doubt anyone might have had about whether he could surpass what he accomplished during last year’s AL MVP campaign.
The Japanese two-way phenom won its sixth consecutive start by striking out 12 in six innings and also hit a two-run triple in the Los Angeles Angels’ 7-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday-evening.
Over his last six starts, Ohtani gave up only three runs (two earned) and 20 hits in 39 2/3 innings with 58 strikeouts and 11 walks. The righthander is 9-4 with a 2.38 ERA in 15 starts this season.
“Unfortunately we have lost a few in the last few starts and he takes that personally. He understands how important his day is,” manager Phil Nevin said after the Halos suffered a string of five losses. “His last three or four times he has put the team on its back.”
It marks the third time this season that Ohtani has had double-digit strikeouts and multiple RBI’s in a game. The only other pitchers who managed to do that are Kevin Millwood of Atlanta in 1999 and Hal Newhouser with Detroit in 1946.
It was Ohtani’s last start on the mound for next Tuesday’s All-Star Game, just down the road at Dodger Stadium. The reigning AL MVP was selected for his second consecutive All-Star Game as a batter and pitcher.
Houston manager Dusty Baker, who leads the AL squad, said there is a possibility Ohtani could start on the mound for the second year in a row.
“I mean, as a starting pitcher, it’s a special place to start in the All-Star Game,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “That’s something I’m shooting for and would love to do, but I’m sure there are other pitchers who have better grades than me at the moment. I tried my best to match them tonight and in the end it’s up to Dusty Baker.”
Ohtani also became the fifth pitcher to strike out at least 50 and allow one or fewer earned runs over a five-game period since runs earned became an official statistic in 1913. The others were Chris Sale (2018), Clayton Kershaw (2014-15 ) ), R. A. Dickey (2012) and Randy Johnson (1997).
Ohtani has also not yet made a final decision on participating in Monday’s Home Run Derby. Seven of the eight contestants have been announced, but the deadline to decide is Thursday as ESPN will release the bracket.
“I haven’t really discussed with anyone how I’ll be used in the game. I don’t really have an answer,” Ohtani said. “It really will depend on how many innings I pitch or how many at bats I’m going to get. I have to balance on this point.”
Luis Rengifo had three hits and brought in some runs with a basesloaded single in the sixth for the Angels. Mike Trout sat outside with back cramps.
Houston’s Cristian Javier, who struckout 14 Angels on July 1, struckout only 3 2/3 innings and gave up three runs, but struckout 10. The last time a Major League-starter went under four innings and recorded a double-digit Ks was Danny Salazar of Cleveland in 2014.
“He threw the ball well, he just didn’t have the command. They also made a mistake on a number of fields,” Baker said of Javier.
Yuli Gurriel’s RBI-single in the fourth inning brought in Kyle Tucker and was the first earned run Ohtani gave up in 31 2/3 innings. It was the longest run by a Halos starter since John Lackey batted 30 2/3 innings in 2006.
Ohtani equaled Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan in two areas on Wednesday. He is the first Angels pitcher since Ryan to record double-digit strikeouts in four consecutive games. Ohtani’s two-run triple to the right hook in the second inning, which extended the lead to 3-0, made him the first Angels-starter since Ryan in 1972 to hit a three-bagger.
LOTS OF K’S
There were a total of 32 strikeouts by both teams, an American League-record for a nine-inning game. The Angels struckout 17 times and the Astros 15.
SMALL BALL
Two of the Angels’ 12 hits came on bunt singles, including Brandon Marsh’s down the third baseline to take Jonathan Villar home in the third inning for the first run of the game.
TRAINERS ROOM
Angels: RHP Jimmy Herget (right shoulder impingement) pitched a bullpen session on Tuesday with another scheduled for the end of the week.
MOVE ROSTER
With Trout sitting out, outfielder Jo Adell was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake. This is Adell’s third stint at the highest level this season. Monte Harrison was designated for assignment. Adell had two basehits, including an RBI single in a four-run sixth inning that locked the game.
NEXT ONE
The teams will conclude their series on Thursday. Astros’ LHP Framber Valdez (8-4, 2.64 ERA) has a 7-4 career record against the Angels. Los Angeles hasn’t named a starter yet.
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