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Shohei Ohtani’s mastery has become almost normal, but he often finds a new way to make history. Wednesday was another of those nights when Ohtani got back into a class of his own.
The Los Angeles Angels two-star star threw seven innings in a 5-2 win over the Miami Marlins, allowing two hits without giving up a well-deserved run. On the plate, he threw a two-run single in the fifth to give the Angels the lead for good. And on the way to the base, he recorded his 10th stolen base.
Since the RBI became an official statistic in 1920, Ohtani is the first player to hit 10 batters, drive in two races and steal a base in the same game, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Shohei Ohtani is the first player since RBI became official in 1920 to do all of the following in a single game:
– 10 punches as a pitcher- 2 driven as a hitter- a stolen base pic.twitter.com/GXmuoaGptt
– ESPN Statistics and Information (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 7, 2022
Ohtani is in the middle of an illustrious stretch, even by its standards. He threw 28⅔ consecutive innings without allowing a win-win, dating back to the fifth inning from a start on June 9 against Boston, and has won five consecutive starts. He is also one of six pitchers since 1913 (including Clayton Kershaw twice) who has had a period of four starts with no runs won and 40 strikeouts.
Of course, none of these pitchers hit like Ohtani. Since that June 9 that started against the Red Sox, he’s batting .305 with a .398 base percentage and .634 slugging percentage, making his 1,032 base plus slugging almost triple the miserable mark of. 364 which the opponents have achieved against him. .
From the archives: Shohei Ohtani is the star baseball never knew he needed
On the mound, Ohtani continued his flawless record despite a slow start Wednesday. The Marlins scratched a run from the first inning for a throwing error, a double and a sacrifice fly. They added a walk and a single to the second. But then Ohtani withdrew the next 13 batters and pulled out eight of them, while the Angels got a 5-1 lead.
Over the past four weeks, Ohtani has increased its OPS from .765 to .839 and lowered its ERA from 3.99 to 2.44.
Although Ohtani’s night was historic, this year he has recorded other similar performances in an encore in his American League MVP season. Last month, he threw eight goalless innings a day after scoring two three-run homers. And on May 5 at Fenway Park, Ohtani threw seven goalless innings with 11 strikeouts and also hit a 109 mph line in front of the Green Monster.