MINNEAPOLIS – Shohei Ohtani notched his 100th major league hit in a 3-for-4 effort Tuesday but was tagged out in pivotal innings as the Los Angeles Angels were unable to overcome an early deficit and fell 4-3 to the Minnesota Twins.
Batting third as the Angels’ designated hitter, Ohtani singled in the fourth inning at Target Field for his 100th big league hit after grounding out in the opening frame.
Ohtani added an RBI single against Twins starter Kyle Gibson (4-1) in a three-run sixth, but was tagged out trying to reach third on a one-out line drive to right from Andrelton Simmons.
The Twins brought in reliever Ryne Harper to face Albert Pujols in the No. 5 spot, and the rally ended when the Angels slugger flew out to right.
Ohtani singled again in the eighth to register his first three-hit game of the season since returning from Tommy John surgery, and made it to second on a base knock from Pujols.
The 24-year-old took off toward the plate on Brian Goodwin’s single to center, but was thrown out trying to score the tying run as Byron Buxton fired home to catcher Mitch Garver. Ohtani slid feet-first into Garver’s left leg as he blocked the plate, resulting in the catcher limping off the field.
“There was something there for me even in the at-bat in which I didn’t get a hit. I saw each ball in the batter’s box and was able to react well,” Ohtani said.
“I need to take a closer look at things like starting off the bag and leading off in order to run the bases safely (as in the close-call at home in the eighth),” he added.
Rockies 5, Red Sox 4 (11)
In Boston, Red Sox ace Chris Sale struck out a career-high 17 in just seven innings before getting pulled after 108 pitches on a chilly Tuesday night, and Colorado rallied against Boston’s bullpen to win in the 11th.
Sale became the first pitcher in major league history to fan 17 in a start of no more than seven innings. Red Sox pitchers combined to strike out 24, but Boston had its five-game winning streak stopped.
Mark Reynolds, whose fifth-inning double was the first runner allowed by Sale, drove in the go-ahead run with a two-out single in the 11th off Ryan Brasier (2-2).
Mike Dunn (1-0) got the win with one inning of scoreless relief and Wade Davis got his seventh save.
Blue Jays 7, Giants 3
In San Francisco, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered twice to become the third-youngest player to hit his first two major league homers in the same game.
Guerrero, who finished with three hits and four RBIs, became the youngest in franchise history to go deep as the Blue Jays won the opener of a six-game trip after losing five of six on a homestand in which they totaled eight runs.
The 20-year-old Guerrero homered in the first inning against Giants opener Nick Vincent (0-2). He added an even more impressive blast in the sixth off Reyes Moronta, a three-run drive.
The only players younger than Guerrero to hit their first two home runs in the same game are Brian McCall in 1962 (19 years, 248 days) and Manny Machado in 2012 (20 years, 35 days).
Padres 6, Dodgers 3
In Los Angeles, Joc Pederson and Cody Bellinger hit two-run homers, Clayton Kershaw threw seven solid innings and the Dodgers beat San Diego in the opener of a two-game series.
Pederson and Bellinger homered in the third inning against starter Chris Paddack (3-2) and helped the Dodgers get their third win in four meetings against their NL West rivals.
Cardinals 14, Braves 3
Mets 6, Nationals 2
Cubs 3, Reds 1
Pirates 6, Diamondbacks 2
Brewers 6, Phillies 1
Mariners 4, Athletics 3
Astros 11, Tigers 4
Indians 9, White Sox 0
Royals 11, Rangers 5
Orioles at Yankees — ppd.
Rays 4, Marlins 0
Source : Baseball – The Japan Times