OHTANI, RENDON RALLY ANGELS

Shohei Ohtani and Anthony Rendon struggled for most of the Angels’ weekend series against the Washington Nationals. Both came up with clutch hits to give Los Angeles a comeback victory in the finale Sunday at Anaheim.

Angels 5, Nationals 4

Ohtani hit a tying, two-run double, Rendon followed with a game-ending single against his former team and the Angels stole away a 5-4 victory to win the three-game set.

“What’s so fun about this team and this offense is that we can ignite at anytime,” Rendon said. “We’ve had some games where we’ve ignited early and our pitching shuts them down the rest of the game, and we’ve had games where we’ve been shutout as hitters through eight innings on and then we come in and win it.”

The Angels trailed 4-2 going into the ninth. Luis Rengifo drew a walk with one out and advanced to third on Taylor Ward’s hit. Mike Trout struck out, then Ohtani drove a slider by Tanner Rainey (0-1) off the wall in center to tie it.

The reigning AL MVP had been 1 for 11 during the weekend series before that at-bat.

Rendon then lined a single to center and Ohtani slid to avoid Victor Robles’ throw home.

“I had a good start. By the way that ball landed, I was going to be able to score easily,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.

Rendon was 0 for 8 the first two games but had two hits Sunday to sink a team he spent seven seasons with and won a World Series title for in 2019.

It is the fourth walk-off hit of his career and first since signing with the Angels in 2020.

“I thought I got away with one there with Trout and then come back face Ohtani and the slider stays too much on the plate and zone and he does what he needs to do,” Rainey said. “I was trying to go up on Rendon and didn’t quite get up enough.”

Jack Mayfield also drove in two runs and Jaime Barria (1-0) got the win for the Angels, who had their second walk-off win this season.

“They pitched us well, we had been in a little bit of an offensive funk. But we have been good late,” Angels manager Joe Maddon said. “We did a lot of good things but our team offensively is capable of more.”

All 11 of the Nationals’ hits were singles, including three by Cesar Hernandez. It is the first time since 2004, when they were the Montreal Expos, that they have had at least 11 hits with none going for extra bases.

Notable

The Cubs scratched Marcus Stroman for their game against the Dodgers, putting the right-hander on the injured list without a designation. The move likely means Stroman’s absence is connected to a COVID-19-related issue.

Nationals pitchers Stephen Strasburg (recovery from thoracic outlet) and Joe Ross (right elbow bone spur removal) are on track to throw two-inning simulated games this week at the team’s spring training facility in Florida.

The Mets released second

baseman Robinson Cano prior to Sunday’s doubleheader against the Phillies. The move comes a week after the slumping Cano was designated for assignment despite nearly $45 million remaining on his contract.

Luis Castillo makes his season debut today on the mound for Cincinnati against NL Central-leading Milwaukee. Castillo, a potential trade chip for the struggling Reds, has been sidelined with a right shoulder strain.

Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty threw about 30 pitches in his bullpen session Saturday, an important step as the right-hander works his way back from a shoulder injury after being shut down in the spring.

Giants 2B Tommy La Stella (right Achilles inflammation) and 3B Evan Longoria (right hand surgery) are continuing rehab assignments with Sacramento.