This is Shohei Ohtani (29, LA Angels) who somehow gets on base even without a hit. Ohtani once again managed to get three bases in one game with catcher hit obstruction and two walks.
On the 13th (Korean time), Ohtani started as the 3rd and designated hitter in the 2023 Major League away game against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, and had 2 hits, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.
As a result, Ohtani’s season batting average fell from 0.293 to 0.289, but his on-base percentage rose slightly from 0.359 to 0.363. The Los Angeles Angels came from behind to win 5-4 thanks to two runs in the bottom of the ninth and escaped their two-game losing streak.
In the first at-bat in the first inning, Ohtani singled out opponent starter Logan Allen’s ball and walked on base. In the third inning, Alan paid for the disappointment of the previous at-bat by striking out Ohtani on a swing with a sweeper that fell low outside.
Cleveland scored on two sacrifice flies. In the beginning of the first inning, Ahmed Rosario’s triple to center field and Jose Ramirez’s sacrifice fly scored the first run. Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout showed regret as the ball that came to him led to a run both times.
However, the Los Angeles Angels’ bottom line made up for the trout by making big innings in the 4th inning. Anthony Rendon, who reached base with a double in center field, was called in by Brandon Drury with an RBI in left field. Drury succeeded in scoring to tie the game 2-2 with a sprint on Geo Acella’s right-mid-wall double that followed. Here, Matt Ties walked to base, and Jack Neto scored an RBI in left field, making it 3-2.
Ohtani got on base in the 5th inning due to Cleveland catcher Cam Gallagher’s obstruction. This is already his fifth plate interception walk, and according to Angels media manager Matt Birch, Ohtani has become the first Angels player to have a catcher hit interception on base at least five times in a single season. In 2019, Tommy La Stella topped the list with 6, followed by Darin Erstad in 2001 with 5. However, this run did not lead to a goal due to Drury’s strikeout and Ursela’s double play.
Ohtani walked to base in the 6th inning as well, creating chances for 1st and 2nd base safely, but as subsequent batters were out, he could not even go to 2nd base. Ohtani’s 3 appearances in a game is the first time in 4 games since the home game against the Texas Rangers on the 8th.
While the Los Angeles Angels kicked two chances, Cleveland succeeded in reversing step by step. In the bottom of the 5th inning, with 1 out, 1st and 3rd base, Josh Bell’s 3rd base grounder tied the score at 3-3. In the 8th inning, Josh Naylor made a 4-3 comeback against Matt Moore with a solo shot by Joong-Wol Woo.먹튀검증
But it was the Los Angeles Angels who had the last laugh. Trout, who started as the lead batter in the top of the ninth inning, reached base with a double to center field. Ohtani struck out on a swing, but Anthony Rendon continued the opportunity with a right-handed hit. Cleveland second baseman Andres Gimenez caught Hunter Renfro’s ground ball with runners on first and third and threw it home. However, the catcher could not catch it at once, and the score was tied at 4-4, and the runners returned to first and third base. Here, Drury made a 5-4 comeback with an RBI from a sacrifice fly by center fielder.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Ramirez and Bell scored consecutive hits and Josh Naylor intentionally got on base in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, but Cleveland had a chance to load the bases.