Once again, Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani wows his teammates and opponents, but this time around, it's on the mound where he particularly shines.
• Read also: The Blue Jays come out of their torpor
• Read also: MLB: the Pirates surprise the Yankees
By beating the Miami Marlins 5-2 on Wednesday, the Japanese won a fifth consecutive start, a first in his career. At the same time, he increased his record for the season to 8-4, while his earned run average is at 2.44.
The one who can hope for a selection in the next Major League Baseball All-Star Game has conveyed his message to the public in a worthy way. Against the Florida club, he gave up an unearned run in seven innings, while collecting 10 strikeouts. At one point, he liquidated 15 batters in a row. And that's not to mention that he produced the point giving his team the lead. He hasn't given up a single earned run in 28 2/3 innings.
“Surely there aren’t many records left for him to pursue, are there? He has most, if not all of them, Angels bench coach Ray Montgomery told MLB.com of the team's first five-game winning streak. since 2016. He fights for everything possible and he doesn't stop. He cannot quench his thirst for victory with what he does. It's really fun to watch."
For his part, receiver Max Stassi considers himself privileged to work with Ohtani.
"He's a top guy. He became one of the best arms in baseball, everyone knows that. And, on the same day, you have to fear him when he comes up to bat. He is a star pitcher and a star hitter,” he complimented.
Some accomplishments
Obviously, Ohtani's prowess is a balm on the wounds of the Angels, who have lived through the desert in recent weeks, the club occupying the fourth level of the American League West with a record of 38-45. At the individual level, he continues to rewrite the history book of the majors.
Among other things, on Wednesday, he became the first player since the official introduction of the RBI statistic in 1920 to total in a single game 10 strikeouts as a pitcher, two RBIs on offense and a stolen base. Then, by bringing his cumulative strikeouts to 111 in 2022, he is the first Angels gunner to claim at least 110 in less than 100 innings during the first half of the season.
