Ohtani seizes win with 12 strikeouts

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Shohei Ohtani retired the Oakland Athletics' first 19 batters and yielded one hit over seven shutout innings in his home pitching debut, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 6-1 victory Sunday.

Marcus Semien's clean one-out single to left broke up Ohtani's bid for a perfect game, and the two-way Japanese sensation finished the inning for a stunning performance with 12 strikeouts.

Ohtani (2-0) struck out the side twice during the latest feat in a series of early-season superlatives by the 23-year-old Japanese prodigy.

He won his pitching debut in Oakland last weekend with six strong innings. He homered in three consecutive games in Anaheim between starts in his attempt to become the first regular two-way player in decades.

BLUE JAYS 7, RANGERS 4: Steve Pearce homered on Cole Hamels' first pitch of the game, Kendrys Morales added a three-run shot and Toronto beat host Texas.

ORIOLES 8, YANKEES 7 (12): Brad Brach escaped his own bases-loaded, no-out jam in the 12th inning and visiting Baltimore overcame an early deficit, holding off New York.

INDIANS 3, ROYALS 1: Yan Gomes hit a tiebreaking two-run homer off Brandon Maurer in the ninth inning, lifting Cleveland to a win over visiting Kansas City.

TIGERS 1, WHITE SOX 0: Mike Fiers combined with four relievers for a three-hitter, and visiting Detroit scored on a passed ball in a win over Chicago.

CUBS 3, BREWERS 0: Jose Quintana tossed three-hit ball over six innings and Ben Zobrist homered as Chicago beat host Milwaukee.

DIAMONDBACKS 4, CARDINALS 1: Arizona manager Torey Lovullo complained about strike calls given because of pitch framing by Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, setting off a benches-clearing incident in Arizona’s win at St. Louis.

BRAVES 4, ROCKIES 0: Nick Markakis and Dansby Swanson hit back-to-back homers as Atlanta won at Colorado.

DODGERS 2, GIANTS 1 (10): Cody Bellinger overcame a bout of food poisoning to score the go-ahead run on Kyle Farmer's pinch-hit double in the 10th inning, and host Los Angeles beat San Francisco.

RED SOX 8, RAYS 7: Andrew Benintendi hit a tiebreaking RBI double in Boston’s win over visiting Tampa Bay.

MARLINS 6, PHILLIES 3: Jake Arrieta lasted just four innings in his Philadelphia debut, allowing three runs — two earned — and three hits while striking out five as host Philadelphia fell to Miami .

PIRATES 5, REDS 0: Jameson Taillon pitched a onehitter for his first shutout in 45 major league starts as Pittsburgh beat visiting Cincinnati.

METS 6, NATIONALS 5 (12): Yoenis Cespedes drove in Juan Lagares for the winning run as New York topped host Washington in extra innings.