07/05/25 07:17:00
Printable Page
07/05 19:15 CDT Shohei Ohtani works 2 scoreless innings and strikes out side in
2nd on 31st birthday
Shohei Ohtani works 2 scoreless innings and strikes out side in 2nd on 31st
birthday
By JILL PAINTER LOPEZ
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani worked two
scoreless innings against the Houston Astros on Saturday in his fourth mound
start of the season, striking out the side in order in the second while
pitching on his 31st birthday.
Ohtani allowed one hit and threw 31 pitches, 21 for strikes. He fanned
Christian Walker, Victor Caratini and Yanier Diaz --- all swinging --- to
conclude his latest outing as an opener as he works his way back from elbow
surgery.
In his previous start a week earlier, Ohtani threw the fastest pitch of his
career at 101.7 mph. This time, he hit triple digits only once --- a 100.9 mph
fastball that Caratini fouled off.
Dodgers organist Dieter Ruehle played one line of "Happy Birthday" as Ohtani
walked to the dugout after the second inning. Before the game, the Los Angeles
grounds crew wrote the message "HB Sho" in the dirt.
Isaac Paredes led off against Ohtani with a single to left. Ohtani then got Cam
Smith to hit a comebacker that second baseman Tommy Edman turned into a double
play. Jose Altuve followed with a groundout as Ohtani retired the side on 10
pitches.
Ohtani has allowed one run in six innings this season for a 1.50 ERA.
The three-time MVP did not pitch last season, his first with the Dodgers, while
recovering from Tommy John surgery. He made 86 mound starts over five seasons
with the Los Angeles Angels, going 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA.
Batting in his customary leadoff spot, Ohtani grounded out in the first inning
and again in the second.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
|
