Angels’ Shohei Ohtani launches MVP campaign by fanning 10 and yielding just two hits over six scoreless innings against the A’s as Hunter Renfroe makes UNREAL no-look catch… before LA’s bullpen squanders lead in opener
Los Angeles Angels’ two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani looked like an MVP candidate in Thursday’s Opener, striking out 10 and yielding just two hits in six scoreless innings before his bullpen blew a 1-0 lead in a 2-1 loss in Oakland.
Interestingly, the 28-year-old Japanese star opted to call his own pitches through the PitchCom device due to the implementation of MLB’s new 15- and 20-second pitch clock. Not wanting to waste time shaking off catchers’ pitch calls, Ohtani decided to dictate the selection to his backstops, and the decision appeared to work against the Athletics.
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Ohtani did allow three walks, but the A’s failed to take advantage of the rare opportunities they were given at bat.
At the plate, Ohtani also singled – one of just five Angels hits on the night.
In the bottom of the fifth, Ohtani was left in disbelief when right fielder Hunter Renfroe made a brilliant no-look catch on a Jace Peterson liner, preventing what was sure to be an extra-base hit.
Angels’ Shohei Ohtani had a season debut to remember with 10 Ks in six innings on Thursday
NO LOOK CATCH?! WOW: Ohtani lifted his hands in the air in disbelief after seeing teammate Hunter Renfroe catch a hit going deep into the outfield at the bottom of the fifth inning
Ohtani managed to get two hits at bat, with his first of the season getting him to first base
The Angels took the lead in the fifth inning of Thursday’s game, all thanks to rookie catcher Logan O’Hoppe, who’s first hit of his professional baseball career was a big one.
The 23-year-old, from West Islip, New York, singled to left with Gio Urshela on third, allowing the Colombian to get to home plate while Oakland’s outfielders were caught napping.
However, that wasn’t to be the only offensive display produced by both California ballclubs.
Oakland capitalized on Ohtani’s exit with Aledmys Díaz rallying the Athletics on a tiebreaking single in the eighth. Esteury Ruiz singled and Tony Kemp hit a tying double to start the rally against Aaron Loup (0-1).
New A’s reliever Trevor May (1-0) pitched the eighth for the win. Dany Jimenez earned the save after putting the tying run aboard on a walk.
Gio Urshela struck out swinging to end the seventh after a 10-pitch battle with Oakland reliever Domingo Acevedo.
Aledmys Diaz hits a single that scored a run in the eighth, putting the A’s back in the game
Esteury Ruiz scored on a double by Tony Kemp (pictured), which gave Oakland a late lead after Ohtani’s night at the mound was over
Following the Angels’ loss, Ohtani joined Dylan Cease, Gerrit Cole and Logan Webb as four pitchers with double-digit strikeouts, matching 1970 for the most on opening day since 1901.
LA also extended its franchise-record losing streak on opening day to six straight, falling to 2-7 all-time in openers against the A’s and 0-6 in Oakland.
The A’s have won five straight season openers in the series.
RHP Shintaro Fujinami makes his major league debut for the A’s on Saturday.
He and Ohtani were part of the same 2012 draft class in Japan. Fujinami pitched the past 10 seasons with the Central League’s Hanshin Tigers.
Los Angeles counters with lefty Patrick Sandoval.