“Shohei Ohtani (29, LA Angels) has been named the first player since 1920, when the live ball era opened.”
Injuries do not stop Ohtani. The American press was stunned by another first record set by Ohtani. On the 4th (Korean time),
Ohtani appeared as the second hitter and starting pitcher in the game against the Seattle Mariners in the ‘2023 Major League’ held at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, USA.
On the mound, in the aftermath of right middle finger cramps, he recorded 스포츠토토 4 innings, 3 hits, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts and no runs, and came down early.
American sports media
‘ESPN’ said, ‘Ohtani was the first player in the live ball era (1920~) to hit a home run, steal a base, and not give up a single point from the mound while reaching base four times in the same game. It is no exaggeration to say that it was a day that properly showed what a two-time superstar is.
Ohtani must have been disappointed in himself on the mound that day. The content of the pitch itself was good. Out of 59 pitches, 41 strikes were aggressive pitches.
It was well done, the highest fastball speed was 100.2 miles (16.2 km per hour), and the average speed was 98.7 miles (158.8 km).
Ohtani’s average
Ohtani’s average fastball speed this season was 96.9 miles (155.9 km), so it can be said that his pitch was much better than usual.
Other pitches were also powerful: fastball (22) and sweeper (23), while throwing mainly two pitches, slider (4), curve (3), splitter (3), cutter (3), sinker (1), etc. He threw all the pitchable pitches and put the Seattle batters to rest.
However, before pitching in the top of the 5th inning, he was suddenly replaced with Jose Soriano. It was a replacement made at the request of Ohtani himself.
As a designated hitter, I guessed that it would not be a major injury while remaining in the game. It was possible.
The reason the club revealed was right hand spasm. After the game,
Ohtani explained specifically to local reporters in the United States that “the middle finger of his right hand had cramps.”
Phil Nevin
Angels manager Phil Nevin said, “Ohtani said that the middle finger of his right hand would cramp and it would be difficult to throw the ball any more.
I always believe in Ohtani and his body. It was my fingers, so I didn’t have to worry about it anymore. But (finger condition) I will check. There was no problem hitting.”
Everyone was surprised by the injury of ace Ohtani. Even more amazing things happened after that. Ohtani with the bat was still hot regardless of his injury.
After two outs in the bottom of the 6th inning with the score trailing 0-1,
Ohtani scored well with a ball count of 3-0, and Seattle starting pitcher Brian Wu deliberately chose the 4th pitch.
Ohtani shook Wu further by stealing second base the next time CJ Cron at bat. Season 14 stolen base.
Cron was able to balance 1-1 with a timely hit in the middle due to Ohtani moving into scoring range.
The Angels began to lead 2-1 as Mike Moustakas’ 1-run turnaround double hit at the right time.
Ohtani’s Game
Ohtani did not stop and even hit a home run in the bottom of the 8th inning.
After one company, he attacked Seattle bullpen Isaiah Campbell’s 96.2 mph fastball and connected it with a solo gun in Woojungwol.
It was a valuable shot to widen the distance to 3-1.
MLB.com, the homepage of Major League Baseball, said, “Ohtani proved that finger cramps in the eighth cannot stop him at bat.
He gave the Angels an extra run by stealing a dominant home run from Campbell.
Ohtani is the first player to hit the 40 home run mark in the major leagues this season, and he is running the pace of 59 home runs this year.
An even more surprising thing happened in the top of the ninth inning.
Carlos Esteves
Carlos Esteves, who came out as the closer, collapsed with 2 hits (1 home run), 2 walks, 3 strikeouts and 4 runs in 1 inning, and lost 3-5.
It was the moment Ohtani’s one-man show collapsed. The shock was even greater because Esteves was a reliable finisher with 23 saves and 5 wins this year.
Esteves recorded the first blown save of the season.
The Angels decided not to trade Ohtani and take him until this year
It was a choice with a will to challenge the playoffs in virtually the last season with
Ohtani. Ohtani, as always, is in the American League MVP race, but the Angels aren’t.
With this loss, the Angels recorded a season record of 56 wins and 54 losses
leaving them with a 4-game gap with the Toronto Blue Jays (60-50), third in the American League Wild Card.
First of all, Ohtani wants to do his best for the Angels for the rest of the season.
Regarding the condition of the fingers, he said, “It’s hard to say whether I should skip a day or one appearance.
Such discussions and decisions are up to coach Nevin and the club. But I don’t want to miss any games in the future.”