Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Ohtani K's Vlad in showdown between MVP rivals

Written by 
Published in Baseball
Friday, 13 August 2021 01:21

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Shohei Ohtani grinned and laughed after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bounced a single to left field in the Toronto Blue Jays slugger's first career plate appearance against the Los Angeles Angels' two-way superstar.

When he struck out Guerrero with a wicked slider two innings later, Ohtani smiled and chuckled at that one, too.

Ohtani had plenty of fun in his first mound meeting with most likely his strongest competitor for the American League MVP award. He also did plenty against the rest of the Blue Jays to secure another win for the Angels.

Ohtani pitched six innings of three-hit ball to win his third consecutive start, and he also doubled and scored an early run in the Angels' 6-3 victory Thursday night.

Although Ohtani (7-1) issued three walks for the first time since June and threw two wild pitches in his 17th mound start of the season, he allowed just two runs and struck out six to keep his ERA at 2.93.

"I haven't been feeling really that great, but when I don't have my best stuff, I've been finding ways to get outs and getting through innings," Ohtani said through an interpreter. "Physically, I feel really good, but I just feel I'm getting better each outing, and I feel like I really haven't hit my potential yet."

Guerrero faced Ohtani's pitching for the first time in their careers, and the majors' No. 2 home run hitter went 1-for-2 with that bouncing single, a walk and a strikeout against the majors' leader in homers.

"I had a lot of fun facing him, but not just him," Ohtani said. "Their whole lineup is really good. They've got top-notch hitters, so I had a lot of fun facing all those guys."

Toronto manger Charlie Montoyo also watched the showdown closely.

"It honestly was just OK," Montoyo said. "Vladdy right now is struggling a little bit, so he's not the Vladdy who's locked in. It's fun to watch. It's two guys fighting for the MVP, so it was good to watch."

Guerrero and Ohtani are among the AL leaders in numerous offensive statistical categories. Guerrero leads Ohtani in OPS (1.123 to 1.017) and RBIs (88 to 84), while Ohtani is ahead of Guerrero in homers (38 to 35) and slugging percentage (.655 to .617).

But Ohtani has dimensions to his game that have never been matched in modern baseball, and Angels manager Joe Maddon said it's "overtly obvious to me" that Ohtani is the AL MVP.

"There's no argument against it," Maddon added. "Vladdy is having a great year, and I really like the kid a lot, but what our guy is doing has never been done before and is unprecedented. That's where it ends for me, and I'm sure other people feel the same way."

At the plate, Ohtani hit a 386-foot double off the wall for his major-league-leading 68th extra-base hit as Los Angeles' leadoff hitter in the first. He also walked and scored during the Angels' four-run second as they split four games with Toronto at the Big A.

Ohtani hasn't lost in 10 starts since May. He improved to 5-0 with a 1.92 ERA in 10 starts at Angel Stadium this season. No pitcher in Angels history had ever gone unbeaten with an ERA under 2.00 in his first 10 home starts in a season. Ohtani is also the first Angels hitter with more than 22 homers in his first 57 home games of a season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read 295 times

Soccer

Pride open season with 6-0 rout; Rodman returns

Pride open season with 6-0 rout; Rodman returns

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe reigning champion Orlando Pride opened the National Women's Soc...

Liverpool capt Van Dijk eyes place among greats

Liverpool capt Van Dijk eyes place among greats

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool's Virgil van Dijk has said winning a second Carabao Cup t...

Neymar ruled out of Brazil return, Endrick in

Neymar ruled out of Brazil return, Endrick in

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNeymar's return to action for Brazil will be delayed yet longer aft...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Bulls banners 'Disturbed' during show; need fixes

Bulls banners 'Disturbed' during show; need fixes

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAll six of the Chicago Bulls' championship banners were pulled from...

Doncic (calf) sits out Lakers' loss to Nuggets

Doncic (calf) sits out Lakers' loss to Nuggets

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDENVER -- Luka Doncic did not play in the conclusion of the Los Ang...

Baseball

MLB award winners' gold logos to become cards

MLB award winners' gold logos to become cards

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsExpanding on the success of the MLB Debut Patch, Topps, MLB and Nik...

Dodgers' Betts to miss Japan games with illness

Dodgers' Betts to miss Japan games with illness

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTOKYO -- Shortstop Mookie Betts will miss the Los Angeles Dodgers'...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated