Baseball: Ohtani allows 4 runs, triples on 2-way return vs. Angels
The two-way star extended his longest hitting run of the year to 12 games, but his home run streak came to an end after four games following a 1-for-4 outing at the plate as the Dodgers dropped to second in the National League West.
"This is a stadium where I have lots of memories. Of course it's one of my favorites," said Ohtani, who struck out seven with no walks while allowing five hits in his longest start since his return, also hurling his most pitches.
"I think it's been a good day that I was able to pitch (here), also in terms of stepping up (my comeback)."
Ohtani's leadoff triple sparked a three-run first inning for the Dodgers before he began his ninth pitching start this season with a 1-2-3 home half at Angel Stadium.
The second of his two strikeouts came against Mike Trout, on a full-count sweeper, in what was their first matchup since the 2023 World Baseball Classic final when the Japanese struck out the American swinging to seal the title in Miami.
Taylor Ward blasted a solo shot off Ohtani's 2-1 four-seamer in the second before Yoan Moncada doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly, but Mookie Betts' bases-loaded single and a bases-loaded walk scored two more Dodgers runs in the fourth.
Ohtani had Trout striking out looking again in the bottom of the inning when he threw a 2-2 four-seamer to the low-outside corner of the zone, clocking 101 miles per hour, as the first win since his September 2023 right elbow surgery began to loom.
"It's been some time since I threw at the stadium. It was something special," said Ohtani, who enjoyed his reunion with his former teammate Trout.
"He's the best batter, someone I always have to throw my best pitches to. It was one of the highlights of the day that my last pitches (against him) were good and hit the corner."
Ohtani gave up two singles with one out in the fifth, however, before Zach Neto doubled to left to make it a one-run game. The 80th pitch of the game proved to be the last for Ohtani as skipper Dave Roberts turned to the bullpen.
Logan O'Hoppe hit a bases-loaded, two-run single in the eighth to turn the game around for the Angels.
"I threw fat finishing pitches after getting two strikes and gave up two hits. That was wasteful," Ohtani said of the fifth.
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