Ohtani’s two home runs, steal key victory

ANAHEIM >> Shohei Ohtani hit two home runs Friday in the Angels’ 8-7 win over the Baltimore Orioles, becoming the first Angel ever to hit 30 home runs before the AllStar break.

More impressive: Ohtani’s two steals of second base in the ninth inning, one of which led to the game-winning run.

Ohtani drew a one-out walk from pitcher Paul Fry in a 7-7 game. With a 1-and-1 count on the next batter, Anthony Rendon, he stole second base.

But home plate umpire Todd Tichenor ordered Ohtani back to first when Rendon tapped the catcher, Pedro Severino, on the back of the helmet with his follow-through.

Undaunted, Ohtani attempted to steal second base again. This time he was successful, with no threat of interference to send him back to first.

Jared Walsh then delivered the game-winning hit, a line-drive single into right field. Ohtani slid home safely, sending the announced crowd of 23,561 at Angel Stadium into a frenzy.

The Angels (40-41) have won four of their last five games. The last two have featured winning rallies in the ninth inning. Walsh had the big hit each time; Wednesday in New York, he hit a grand slam in the ninth inning of the Angels’ 11-8 win over the Yankees.

Ohtani was the star on Friday. He went 2 for 4 with a walk, driving in three runs and scoring three more. He became the first player in Angels history to hit 13 home runs in a 15-game span, and the first player in American League history to record 30 homers and 10 steals in his team’s first 81 games of the season.

Ohtani is on pace for 60 home runs and 24 stolen bases.

Angels starter Griffin Canning allowed a home run in each of the first two innings. Trey Mancini slugged a ball 451 feet to straightaway