‘Otani’s greatest misfortune’ became the first MLB ever to win a 10K goalless run…
As a result, he became the first player in the major leagues to watch his team lose despite recording double-digit strikeouts in the opening game of the big leagues. But Ohtani was Ohtani. When Mike Trout토토사이트, the second batter, entered the plate, booing poured out. However, even the away fans gave a standing ovation when No. 3 Shohei Ohtani appeared. It was the effect of the ‘WBC (World Baseball Classic)’.
It was the Los Angeles Angels who gave up the opening game despite Ohtani’s counterattack. The Los Angeles Angels lost 1-2 in the opening game of the 2023 Major League against Oakland held at the Oakland Coliseum in California, USA on the 31st (Korean time).
Ohtani played a perfect role as a starting pitcher and third hitter that day. Ohtani took on the heavy responsibility of starting the opening game for the first time in five seasons of major league debut last year. And until this season, he had the honor of starting the opening game for two consecutive years.
Los Angeles Angels offense in the first inning. After leadoff Taylor Ward struck out, No. 2 Trout entered the plate. The home fans at the Oakland Coliseum then booed Trout. Trout retreated with a straight hit to center field.
The next batter is Ohtani. Then, this time, Auckland fans gave a standing ovation and cheers. After the match between the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland, Japanese media The Answer reported, “An unusual sight unfolded in the opening game of the away game,” and “Auckland fans, who booed the Trout in the previous at-bat, paid tribute to Ohtani.” did.
According to the report, reporter Jason Mastrodonato of the East Bay Times, a local media in California, USA, said on his personal SNS, “As Trout stood at bat, a loud boo rang out in the Coliseum.”
He continued, “But when Ohtani came to bat, every fan in the ballpark gave a standing ovation. Oakland fans took off their hats and waved them.” Ohtani, who took his first at-bat with a lot of cheers, withdrew after striking out on a swing after an 8-pitch game.
A standing ovation from away fans for Ohtani. It was Auckland fans who remembered Ohtani’s performance in the WBC tournament, which was literally like a cartoon. In particular, in the U.S. national team and the WBC final, he took the mound as a closer in the ninth inning and struck out Trout after two outs to decorate the finale. Of course, the MVP of the WBC tournament was also his.
Ohtani was also active as a pitcher. He allowed a straight walk to lead batter Tony Kemp in the bottom of the first inning, but then all three batters were hit. The second inning included two strikeouts, and was treated as a three-way offense. In the third inning, he continued his three-way exit streak.
Episode 4 was the first crisis. After one out, he was hit with a heavy hit from Aledmiss Diaz and a double from Seth Brown in the middle left, and was driven to second and third base. However, he showed great strength by striking out Jesus Aguilar and Ramon Loriano in consecutive swings.
In the 5th inning, he gave up a walk after one out, but after that, both batters were beaten. In the following 6th inning, he gave up a one-and-out walk and had to take out the next two batters to catch a fly ball and strike out, respectively. It was finally here. Ohtani gave up the mound to Jimmy Huggett after throwing 2 hits, 3 walks, and 10 strikeouts in 6 innings. The total number of pitches was 93.
He also performed well at bat. In the fourth inning, he hit a right-center hit that pierced the side of the second baseman from a safe first base chance. He struck out in the sixth inning. In the eighth inning, he went on base on an intentional fourth pitch. 3 at-bats, 1 hit, 1 walk.
On this day, the Angels took the lead with a timely hit by Logan Ohoff in the 5th inning with a run on third base. If this score is kept well, Ohtani will win the opening game. But the bullpen collapsed.
In the bottom of the 8th inning, Aaron Roof, the team’s third pitcher, allowed a hit to Esteuri Lewis and a double to Tony Kemp, making the game 1-1. The moment Ohtani’s victory flew away. Afterwards, Ryan Tepera, who was on the mound, gave Diaz a timely hit and allowed a 1-2 comeback. In the end, the Los Angeles Angels, who failed to counterattack in the top of the ninth, knelt down 1-2.
According to Sarah Reims, an MLB analyst, there have been 26 times since 1901, including Ohtani, that a starting pitcher has allowed no runs and struck out 10 games in the opening game. However, Ohtani is the first time that the team of the pitcher who set this record lost. Ohtani was the first protagonist to watch his team lose despite striking out a double-digit strikeout in the opening game. It can be called ‘unfortunate luck ever’.