Ohtani continues to punish the White Sox with the bat
He drives in five runs, three with a homer, and is 11 for 24 against Chicago this year.
ANGELS 8 CHI. WHITE SOX 7
CHICAGO — Shohei Ohtani shared few details about his recent hitting adjustments. The results speak for themselves.
Ohtani hit a three-run home run and drove in a career-high five runs to help the Angels to an 8-7 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night.
“I’m not only happy with the results but the process and how I’m feeling at the plate,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.
Ohtani finished with three hits and was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.
“He struggled there for a bit and started working on some things in Oakland with some mechanics in his swing,” manager Brad Ausmus said. “He seems to be reaping the benefits of it. We seem to be reaping the benefits.”
Albert Pujols and Kevan Smith each had two hits for the Angels, who have won 10 of 11 games against Chicago.
Jose Abreu homered and drove in four runs, and Yoan Moncada had three hits for the White Sox, who have dropped 10 of 12 games.
Tim Anderson was two for five to raise his American League-leading batting average to .334, six points ahead of the DJ LeMahieu of the New York Yankees.
Abreu hit a three-run home run against Luis Garcia to pull the White Sox within one run in the seventh inning. It was Abreu’s 30th home run.
The Angels loaded the bases in the ninth with a single, intentional walk to pinch-hitter Mike Trout and another walk. Brian Goodwin lined out to first base to end the threat.
Hansel Robles pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 20th save in 23 opportunities.
Ohtani homered against Dylan Covey (1-8) to give the Angels a 5-2 lead in the third inning. The opposite-field shot was the designated hitter’s 17th home run this season. Ohtani is 11 for 24 against the White Sox this season.
“I feel like it’s just a coincidence,” Ohtani said. “Yesterday, today, faced really good pitchers. Balls just found holes.”
He became the first Japanese-born player to have five RBIs and a stolen base in a major league game.
Carson Fulmer replaced Covey and walked two consecutive batters to bring in a run. A run scored on a wild pitch for a 7-2 Angels lead. Center fielder Adam Engel ran into the fence to make a catch and end the inning.
Covey, who was recalled from triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday, was charged with seven runs and seven hits in 22⁄3 innings. His last victory was May 31 against Cleveland.
Andrew Heaney (4-4) struck out eight batters and gave up four runs in six innings for the Angels.
He was 2-0 with a 2.10 earned-run average in four career starts against the White Sox.