Ohtani’s 3 RBIs, Trout’s homer lead Angels over Royals 10-3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Shohei Ohtani can pitch at over 100 mph. He can hit over 100 mph, too.
Ohtani had three hits and three RBIs, including a double that left the bat at 119 mph and helped the Los Angeles Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 10-3 Monday.
“Did you see that?” Angels manager Joe Maddon marveled. “He’s an impressive athlete and he has lots of confidence right now.”
Ohtani’s two-run double in the seventh off the Royals’ Scott Barlow gave Los Angeles a 6-3 lead. That 119 mph drive was fifth-hardest-hit ball since 2015, according to Statcast.
The two-way player added an RBI double against Jake Newberry in the ninth.
Mike Trout, following Ohtani in the batting order, hit his fourth home run of the season, a two-run drive in the ninth.
Alex Cobb (1-0) struck out 10, his high since he fanned 12 on July 29, 2014, for Tampa Bay against Milwaukee. He allowed three runs, four hits and one walk in 5 2/3 innings.
Seven of his strikeouts came via splitters.
“When things are rolling it takes you back to some of your prime days, but that’s what I’m working back to,” Cobb said. “I think my splitter has been a little better during spring but that’s the best it’s been in a game.”
Brady Singer (0-2) gave up four runs — one earned — and seven hits in five innings.
Kansas City hurt itself with three errors, including bad throws by center fielder Michael A. Taylor and by Singer.
Salvador Perez had an RBI single in the sixth for his 1,000th hit and had the eighth four-hit game of his big league career.
“Sal is special with how he goes about everything,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “He puts so much time and effort in for his pitching staff and it gets noticed.”