Shohei Ohtani hits fortieth homer after begin lower quick attributable to cramps in Angels’ loss
[ad_1]
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Shohei Ohtani left the mound after solely 4 scoreless innings attributable to cramping in his pitching hand and fingers, however then hit his main league-leading fortieth homer earlier than his Los Angeles Angels blew a two-run lead within the ninth inning of a 5-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night time.
Ohtani stated he wasn’t positive whether or not the cramping, which was largely in his proper center finger, would drive him to overlook a mound begin.
Ohtani additionally had issues with cramps in the course of the Angels’ just-completed journey, leaving consecutive video games early with lower-body cramping.
“It’s not simply my finger,” Ohtani stated via his translator. “I’ve been type of getting cramps in every single place. I felt like perhaps I might have gone one other inning or two, however I’m attempting to really feel out how my hand feels, and it’s a 0-0 sport. I couldn’t hand over any runs, and I felt prefer it was higher for the crew to cease pitching there.”
Rookie Cade Marlowe hit his first profession grand slam within the ninth for the Mariners, who rallied from a two-run deficit towards All-Star nearer Carlos Estévez (5-2) to steal the win. In his twelfth main league sport, Marlowe obtained round on a excessive 99.8-mph fastball in an 0-2 rely.
“I used to be simply eager about getting on high of one thing, hitting a tough line drive,” Marlowe stated. “Swung via the primary two on the high, and at last obtained on high of 1, the final one.”
Ohtani drilled a 107-mph line drive off Isaiah Campbell (2-0) into the stands in proper at Angel Stadium within the eighth inning, securing his second profession 40-homer season with the solo shot.
Ohtani reached base 4 occasions and scored the tying run within the sixth for the Angels (57-53), who opened a seven-game homestand with their fifth loss in seven video games regardless of their two-way celebrity’s newest exceptional effort.
“I want I might have gone near 100 pitches and save the bullpen, assist them out,” stated Ohtani, who joined Mike Trout and Troy Glaus as the one gamers in Angels historical past with a number of 40-homer seasons. “However a loss is a loss. It occurs. Simply obtained to show the web page.”
The Angels have been two outs from a win earlier than Marlowe hit his crew’s first grand slam within the ninth inning or later whereas Seattle was trailing since Richie Sexson did it Sept. 19, 2005, at Toronto.
“He’s an superior competitor,” Seattle supervisor Scott Servais stated. “He’s not overthinking it. Simply taking part in baseball. … That was some type of swing. It’s 100 miles an hour on the high of the zone. As a younger participant, you’re simply attempting to get the bat there.”
Estévez walked two and gave up a single earlier than Marlowe’s blast in his first blown save for the Angels in 24 alternatives this season.
“He’s the primary man that hits a fastball exterior of the strike zone towards me (this season), and what a time to do it,” Estévez stated. “Nobody thinks I used to be going to be good for the remainder of my profession. Come on. Nevertheless it’s only a sport. It is vital, and it’s robust, however we’ve obtained much more video games to go.”
Eugenio Suárez additionally homered for the Mariners, who’ve received seven of 9 to maneuver 1 1/2 video games forward of the Angels within the AL wild-card race.
Suárez tied a Mariners franchise file with an RBI in his ninth consecutive sport.
Ohtani threw solely 59 pitches in his shortest begin not attributable to a rain delay in practically a full yr.
He struck out 4 and allowed solely three tender singles in his first begin since throwing a one-hit shutout in Detroit for his first main league full sport final week.
Ohtani stated he took a number of observe swings to verify he might proceed hitting along with his cramping hand, and he tied it within the sixth by drawing his second stroll, stealing second and scoring on C.J. Cron’s single.
Mike Moustakas then drove in Cron with a protracted double off Seattle rookie Bryan Woo, who allowed 4 hits and struck out six.
Andrés Muñoz pitched the ninth for his fourth save.
Cron’s single prolonged his hitting streak to a career-best 13 video games in his Anaheim homecoming sport. He rejoined the Angels final week in a commerce after spending his first 4 main league seasons with the Angels.
Cron was acquired from Colorado together with Randal Grichuk, who went 0 for 4 in his Angels dwelling debut 14 years after the crew drafted him within the first spherical, one choose forward of Mike Trout.
Trout is almost prepared to start hitting a ball, supervisor Phil Nevin stated. The three-time AL MVP has already taken dry swings in his return from a damaged hand that has sidelined him since July 3.
He’s anticipated to return shortly after he faces dwell pitching.
Second baseman Brandon Drury needs a minimum of two extra video games at Triple-A Salt Lake earlier than he returns from the left shoulder damage that has saved him out since June 29.
[ad_2]
Source link
