Angels Score: Shohei Makes History In Opening Day Loss

The Los Angeles Angels came out empty-handed in their first game of the season. The Oakland Athletics took home the win as the final score was 2-1 and, similar to other years, Shohei Ohtani struggled to get help from others.

The 28-year-old played six innings on Friday and become just the fourth player ever to record 10 or more strikeouts in a season debut. LA has lost their home opener every year for the past six years and had looked for this one to be different.

Heat 101 with Professor Ohtani. pic.twitter.com/9ddL62oix9
— MLB (@MLB) March 31, 2023

Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 Oakland A's tonight and allowed 0 runs. It wasn't enough for a win because the Angels gave up the lead after he stopped pitching. pic.twitter.com/bgI6bB2D29
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) March 31, 2023

Logan O'Hoppe was able to bring home the Angels' first run of the season. This did not happen until the fifth inning and fans were beginning to wonder when some real action would happen. Luckily, O'Hoppe was there to kick things off.

The first @Angels RBI of the season belongs to top-ranked prospect Logan O'Hoppe 😎 pic.twitter.com/jlrPhxEmz1
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 31, 2023

The highlight of the day came soon after as Hunter Renfroe displayed some magical baseball IQ and made a no-look catch in that same inning. It was off of a Jace Peterson hit which made everyone, and I mean everyone, garner a reaction.

WHAT IS THIS HUNTER RENFROE CATCH?!? 🤯

pic.twitter.com/z4mhLbTAiO
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) March 31, 2023

NO LOOK CATCH?! WOW. 🤯

Even Shohei Ohtani was in disbelief

(via @Angels)pic.twitter.com/kR9jL4ybNi
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 31, 2023

Unfortunately, everything changed once Aaron Loup came in for Ohtani. He admitted that he was pitching scared and that it was on full display. He allowed a double that tied the game.

TIE GAME TK pic.twitter.com/7KGB6vMx4j
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) March 31, 2023

The Angels continued to struggle at the pat and despite going through some pitching battles and racking up the count, they failed to capitalize on any more runners that made it to base.

Ryan Tepera relieved Aaron Loup in the eighth inning and gave up a hit that put the A's up by one and would go on to win them the game.

Aledmys Diaz was able to get the big hit and bring home the game-winning run.

Aledmys Diaz puts the A's in front! pic.twitter.com/gq4rZDlV1B
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 31, 2023

This was not the ideal start to 2023 for the Angels, especially in a game where Ohtani pitches. However, they will have a chance to bounce back today against the A's once again.