Shohei puts on another show

By OC Tribune Staff on April 20, 2022 • ( Leave a comment )

SHOHEI OHTANI excelled both as a pitcher and a hitter Wednesday night in the Angels’ 6-0 win over the Braves (Angels photo).

Shohei Ohtani made the cover of Time magazine this week and demonstrated Wednesday night just why he is Major League Baseball’s biggest star.

He put on an all-star performances both on the mound and at the plate for the Los Angeles Angels in Houston as the Halos defeated the Astros 6-0 and – incidentally – defended his team’s position as the first place team in the American League West at 8-5.

He pitched a perfect game into the sixth inning and struck out 12 batters, including six in a row at one juncture.

On top of that, he had two hits and drove in two runs. Wednesday’s win gave the Angels a win on the road against a team that is arguably the best in the AL and – for one day at least – gave the Halos the best record in the league.

It was a good lift for a team that is playing without its other superstar, Mike Trout. The Angel centerfielder was out of the lineup for the third straight game with a hand injury, but he is expected to return on Friday when the team begins a three-game series – Friday through Monday – hosting the Baltimore Orioles (4-8).

Dodgers leading their race, too

The Angels aren’t the only local team leading a division race. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-1 on Wednesday and remained atop the National League West with a 9-3 record.

Tony Gonsolin – subbing for the injured Andrew Heaney – pitched six shutout innings and gave up just one hit. He struck out three batters and walked three.

Most of the damage at the plate for the Blue Crew was done by Freddie Freeman (three hits, including a home run, two RBIs) and Cody Bellinger (a double and a triple and one run batted in).

The Dodgers have Thursday off and will head down the freeway on Friday to start a three-game series with the San Diego Padres (9-5).

Cents rally past Mariners

Cypress High’s baseball team rallied from behind to defeat Pacifica 4-3 on Wednesday and remained unbeaten in Empire League play. The Centurions (7-0 in league and 20-3-2 overall) trailed 3-2 after three innings. They tied it with a single run in the bottom of the sixth and won with a run in the bottom of the seventh.

The Mariners are now 4-3 in Empire play and 16-8 overall. PHS will get another shot at the Cents on Friday at their West Grove field.

Here are local high school baseball and softball results on Wednesday.

Baseball

Boras Classic South