SF Giants lose to LA Angels, Shohei Ohtani in offensive disappointment
The SF Giants lost the final game of their series against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night, losing the series as well. In another opener game for the Giants, their pitching staff made a couple mistakes that couldn't be surmounted by the Giants offense. Shohei Ohtani took the mound for the Angels, and had a bit of a rough outing, looking in the sixth inning like he'd injured himself after nearly hitting Wilmer Flores with a pitch.
Ohtani started the game off for the Angels, showing typical excellence for the first inning. In the second, he allowed a ground rule double to Michael Conforto and a walk to Patrick Bailey. Then the Angels' catcher Matt Thaiss attempted to pick off a leaning Conforto at second, but shortstop Luis Rengifo wasn't at the base to catch the perfect throw. Both runners were able to advance as a result, and when Brandon Crawford hit a sacrifice fly, Conforto scored easily. The Giants took an early 1-0 lead.
Ryan Walker took the ball in the first inning, opening the game for manager Gabe Kapler. On the first pitch, umpires ruled that he hit Rengifo on the wrist, but the Giants were so unconvinced that they challenged the call, but the ruling on the field stood, and they lost their challenge. After that, Walker allowed a double, but ultimately struck out the side.
Sean Manaea throws in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium.
© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sean Manaea took over in the second, getting through four innings without allowing a run and protecting the Giants' lead. In the bottom of the sixth, he was sent out again, but allowed a leadoff ground-rule double to Rengifo and was taken out of the game for Tristan Beck. The Giants chose to intentionally walk Ohtani, and then Beck gave up an RBI single to Brandon Drury to allow the Angels to tie the game 1-1.
But the real trouble came from Mike Moustakas, who hit a 3-run home run to deep right to score Ohtani and Drury, putting the Angels up 4-1. Beck got through the next three batters easily, getting C.J. Cron to ground out, and striking out Mickey Moniak and Hunter Renfroe. Beck pitched the seventh and eighth without much trouble, not allowing a single hit and only giving up a walk to Ohtani.
Ohtani pitched six solid innings, only allowing three hits, and striking out five. In the top of the sixth, he nearly hit Flores with a pitch to the face, and while facing the next batter, appeared to be in serious discomfort. He finished out the inning and retook his role as designated hitting for the remainder of the game.
In the seventh, facing José Soriano, the Giants threatened to retake their lead. Conforto walked to lead off, then after getting two outs, Soriano allowed a single to Luis Matos and a walk to LaMonte Wade Jr. to load the bases. Thairo Estrada grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning, and the Giants remained down three runs.
Matt Moore took the mound in the eighth inning and aside from a walk to pinch-hitting Austin Slater, had no trouble retiring the Giants. In the ninth, Carlos Estévez, who had a rough outing against the team on Monday, was great this time around. Aside from an error from C.J. Cron on what should have been a game ending double play ball, the Angels closed out the Giants easily.
The Giants will have Thursday off as they travel back home to get ready to take on Bruce Bochy and the Texas Rangers. First pitch on Friday evening is scheduled for 7:15 PM Pacific.
