USA Today
Los Angeles Angels Pitcher Shohei Ohtani Redeems Himself Versus Astros
HOUSTON, Texas — Los Angeles pitcher Shohei Ohtani pitched a near-perfect game in the Angels' 6-0 shutout and 2-1 series win over Houston on Wednesday.
Ohtani's stat line read one hit and one walk over six scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts matching his career-high from his second start in the league on April 8, 2018. He also became the first starting pitcher to bat twice before even setting foot on the mound since at least 1900.
This was a good night for Ohtani to have an incredible game. Before Wednesday, the Angels lost five of Ohtani's six career starts against the Astros. Ohtani went 0-3 with a 5.92 ERA
"I think he had enough of Houston giving him a hard time, and he wanted to go out there tonight, do something about it both on the mound and at the plate," Angels manager Joe Maddon said in a press conference.
Ohtani's 81 total pitches consisted of 20 swings and misses. He hadn't started as a pitcher for five games since April 14 but in one night showed Maddon how dedicated he has been to the Angels since his Majors debut in 2018.
"From him, it's the best I've seen," Maddon said.
Between Ohtani's pitching and at bats, Maddon said that's how you enter the Cy Young award conversation.
"He was possessed tonight," Maddon said. "That was a virtuoso performance from the beginning. He had a different look about him."
So far this season, Ohtani totals 26 strikeouts and a 4.4 ERA for 14.1 innings pitched.
Related MLB Stories on Fastball:
- KYLE FREELAND AGREES TO $64.5 MILLION CONTRACT EXTENSION: The 28-year-old Denver native is living his dream playing in his hometown for at least another five years into the 2026 season. The deal was announced just before the Rockies' game versus the Phillies on Tuesday. CLICK HERE.
- CHICAGO CUBS STARTING LINEUP: Take a look at the Chicago Cubs' starting lineup for game three of the series on April 20 versus the Tampa Bay Rays. The game starts at 5:30 p.m. CT. CLICK HERE.
- FENWAY PARK'S 110TH BIRTHDAY: America's Most Beloved Ballpark is celebrating 110 years on April 20, 1912. On this day, Fenway park officially opened for its first regular season game jumpstarting Boston's best winning percentage season in history topped off with a World Series title. CLICK HERE.
