Ohtani homers again in LA win
Two-way star Shohei Ohtani homered for the third straight game after learning he will probably need Tommy John surgery, launching a three-run shot to cap the Los Angeles Angels’ four-run third in a 5-2 victory over the White Sox last night in Chicago.
Shut down as a pitcher because of the right elbow problem, Ohtani hit his 19th homer of the season to break a tie with Kenji Johjima for the most by a Japanese rookie in the majors.
Ohtani, in the lineup as the designated hitter, has four homers in his last three games.
Before the game, Ohtani said he plans to finish the season as the DH and hasn’t decided yet if he’ll have Tommy John surgery.
Andrelton Simmons added a solo shot in the seventh, and Felix Pena (2-4) pitched seven strong innings to help the Angels win for the third time in their last four.
White Sox top pitching prospect Michael Kopech has an injured right elbow and probably will need Tommy John surgery that will cause him to miss the 2019 season.
The 22-year-old Kopech was recalled from TripleA Charlotte on Aug. 21 and made four starts, going 1-1 with a 5.02 ERA. The 6-foot3 Kopech was impressive in all three, allowing just one run in 11 innings.
Rays 14, Orioles 2 — In St. Petersburg, Fla., Blake Snell tied the major league victory lead with his 18th, Nick Ciuffo and Kevin Kiermaier hit three-run homers and Tampa Bay routed Baltimore.
Snell (18-5) matched Cleveland’s Corey Kluber for the major league lead, after allowing two runs, five hits and striking out nine over 51⁄3 innings.
Tommy Pham had a fifthinning solo homer and JiMan Choi hit a grand slam in the sixth to help the Rays run their home winning streak to nine. Tampa Bay has won 14 of 17 overall, outscoring opponents 9349.
Blue Jays 3, Indians 2 — Kevin Pillar hit a solo homer in the bottom of the 11th after AL MVP contender Jose Ramirez grounded out with the bases loaded in the top of the inning, allowing host Toronto to beat Cleveland.
Pillar’s second career walkoff home run came off right-hander Adam Cimber (3-6).
National League
Phillies 4, Mets 3 — Rhys Hoskins hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning to make a winner of Aaron Nola, and Philadelphia edged host New York.
Carlos Santana lined an early two-run shot for the Phillies, who began the day trailing Atlanta by 31⁄2 games in the NL East. The first-place Braves played late at Arizona.
Nola (16-4) struck out eight over seven innings to match Washington ace Max Scherzer for the NL lead in wins.
David Wright is scheduled to participate in a simulated game today, as the Mets’ captain tries to come back from back and shoulder injuries. The seven-time All-Star third baseman hasn’t played in the big leagues since May 2016.
Pirates 5, Marlins 3 — Jordan Luplow hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning, Josh Bell also had a two-run shot and host Pittsburgh rallied past Miami.
Richard Rodriguez (4-2) pitched a scoreless inning. Felipe Vazquez worked the ninth for his 31st save.
Brewers 4, Giants 2 — Jesus Aguilar hit a two-run double in the seventh inning to lead host Milwaukee over San Francisco.
Interleague
Tigers 5, Cardinals 3 — Jeimer Candelario hit a two-run homer with one out in the ninth inning, lifting host Detroit over St. Louis.
Marcell Ozuna homered twice for St. Louis, which has lost four of six and holds a slim lead for the second NL wild-card spot.
Elsewhere in baseball — The New York Yankees activated shortstop Didi Gregorius from the disabled list before last night’s game at Seattle. He wasn’t in the starting lineup. Gregorius suffered a bruised left heel on Aug. 19 and missed 16 games. He is hitting .270 with 22 home runs and 74 RBI . . . .
The Washington Nationals activated All-Star closer Sean Doolittle from the 10-day disabled list before last night’s game against the Cubs. The left-hander missed 54 games with a stress reaction in his left foot. Doolittle is 3-2 with a 1.45 ERA in 35 appearances. He has 22 saves in 23 chances.