Ohtani’s start is like none since Ruth’s
Shohei Ohtani struck out nine after a shaky first inning on the mound, scored three runs and drove in two in a start like none since Babe Ruth 100 years earlier, as the Angels beat the Rangers 94 on Monday night in Arlington, Texas.
“A pretty complete game of baseball,” Angels manager Joe Maddon said. “If you weren’t entertained by watching him tonight, you can’t be entertained watching the game of baseball.”
A day after hitting his seventh homer to tie for the MLB lead, Ohtani is the first home run leader to be a starting pitcher since Ruth for the Yankees against Detroit on June 13, 1921.
Ohtani gave up four runs in the first inning before retiring 14 of his last 15 batters.
After walking and scoring on Jared Walsh’s single in the Angels’ first for a 10 lead, Ohtani issued two walks, a hit batsman and a wild pitch in the bottom of the inning. But the game was tied 44 in the second after Ohtani hit a tworun double and scored on a single by Mike Trout.
Justin Upton put the Angels ahead to stay with a homer leading off the third and Albert Pujols made it backtoback homers.
Astros 5, Mariners 2: In Houston, Jose Altuve had three hits and two RBIs in his return after a positive virus test. Yordan Alvarez and Yuli Gurriel each had three hits and an RBI.
Royals 3, Tigers 2: Jarrod Dyson doubled and had the go-ahead run in the fifth inning, and Kansas City earned a four-game road sweep for the first time in nearly 22 years.
Marlins 8, Brewers 0: In Milwaukee, Trevor Rogers pitched six spotless innings and Corey Dickerson finished a triple shy of the cycle for Miami. Brewers starter Corbin Burnes (2-2) gave up five straight hits to end his outing but struck out nine, giving him 49 for the season. He hasn’t issued a walk in 291⁄3 innings.
Phillies 2, Cardinals 1: Zack Wheeler took a one-hit shutout into the ninth inning and Rhys Hoskins homered twice for visiting Philadelphia.
Indians 5, Twins 3: Jordan Luplow hit a two-run home run in the 10th inning off Alex Colome for host Cleveland.
Orioles 4, Yankees 2: Cedric Mullins hit two home runs and a double, and Matt Harvey pitched six impressive innings for host Baltimore.
Braves 8, Cubs 7: Freddie Freeman hit a three-run homer and host Atlanta awoke offensively after getting one hit in Sunday’s doubleheader, overcoming a grand slam by Kris Bryant to beat Chicago.