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San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Shohei Ohtani fans Trout with 101 mph fastball while pitching into the 5th in return to Big A mound
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani returned to the Angel Stadium mound with 4 1/3 innings of five-hit, four-run ball for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night in his first pitching appearance in Anaheim since he left the Los Angeles Angels nearly two years ago. Ohtani put on a two-way show for his old home crowd with seven strikeouts. He fanned Mike Trout twice, getting his friend and fellow MVP the second time with his fastest pitch of the night — a 101 mph fastball in the fourth inning. Ohtani also staked himself to an early lead by tripling and scoring as the Dodgers' leadoff hitter before he even took the mound, entertaining Angels fans with the same inimitable feats he accomplished regularly during his first six major league seasons with their club. Ohtani's mound start was his longest since he returned to pitching two months ago, but he didn't finish strong. He gave up three consecutive one-out hits in the fifth and left after Zach Neto's two-run double trimmed the Dodgers' lead to 5-4. Anthony Banda still escaped the jam, but only after the Angels loaded the bases. Ohtani also gave up a homer to Taylor Ward during the Angels' two-run second inning. He looked sharp in the next two innings before getting chased by two singles and Neto's drive. Ohtani is still beloved in Anaheim by fans who mostly couldn't blame him for leaving a team that could never assemble a winning lineup around him and Trout during six consecutive losing seasons. The three-time MVP — two of those trophies claimed with the Angels — has received cheers whenever he returns to the Big A, although that's also because much of the crowd wears Dodger Blue for these Freeway Series rivalry games. The fans were locked in on the main event in this showdown: After Trout and Ohtani acknowledged each other with slight nods and smirks, Ohtani finished his 1-2-3 first inning by throwing five straight fastballs to Trout before striking him out looking with a sweeper. The MVP ex-teammates hadn't faced each other since Ohtani famously struck out Trout in Tokyo — with the same pitch — to end the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Ohtani was even meaner to Trout in their second meeting, starting him out with a 73 mph curve before eventually fanning him with that blazing fastball in the low outside corner. Outside of Trout, Ohtani saw plenty of familiar faces Wednesday: Seven of the nine hitters in the Angels' starting lineup played with him in Anaheim. But Ohtani hadn't been on the mound at the Big A since Aug. 23, 2023, when he abruptly left a start against Cincinnati in the second inning with elbow pain later revealed to be a torn ligament. The resulting surgery kept him off the mound entirely in 2024 after he signed his 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. Ohtani returned to pitching two months ago, and the Dodgers have gradually built up his innings while maintaining his everyday role as their DH and leadoff hitter. Before his mound return, Ohtani homered in each of the first two games of this series — although he also lined into a triple play Tuesday. After getting loud pregame cheers, Ohtani began by driving a 2-2 pitch from Kyle Hendricks into deep right for a triple, and he quickly scored on Betts' single. Will Smith added his 15th homer a few minutes later to stake his pitcher to a 3-0 lead. Ward blasted a 97 mph fastball from Ohtani to right for his 29th homer, just the second allowed by Ohtani this season. Yoán Moncada then doubled and scored on two flyouts. ___
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Shohei Ohtani fans Trout with 101 mph fastball while pitching into the 5th in return to Big A mound
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani returned to the Angel Stadium mound with 4 1/3 innings of five-hit, four-run ball for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night in his first pitching appearance in Anaheim since he left the Los Angeles Angels nearly two years ago. Ohtani put on a two-way show for his old home crowd with seven strikeouts. He fanned Mike Trout twice, getting his friend and fellow MVP the second time with his fastest pitch of the night — a 101 mph fastball in the fourth inning. Ohtani also staked himself to an early lead by tripling and scoring as the Dodgers' leadoff hitter before he even took the mound, entertaining Angels fans with the same inimitable feats he accomplished regularly during his first six major league seasons with their club. Ohtani's mound start was his longest since he returned to pitching two months ago, but he didn't finish strong. He gave up three consecutive one-out hits in the fifth and left after Zach Neto's two-run double trimmed the Dodgers' lead to 5-4. Anthony Banda still escaped the jam, but only after the Angels loaded the bases. Ohtani also gave up a homer to Taylor Ward during the Angels' two-run second inning. He looked sharp in the next two innings before getting chased by two singles and Neto's drive. Ohtani is still beloved in Anaheim by fans who mostly couldn't blame him for leaving a team that could never assemble a winning lineup around him and Trout during six consecutive losing seasons. The three-time MVP — two of those trophies claimed with the Angels — has received cheers whenever he returns to the Big A, although that's also because much of the crowd wears Dodger Blue for these Freeway Series rivalry games. The fans were locked in on the main event in this showdown: After Trout and Ohtani acknowledged each other with slight nods and smirks, Ohtani finished his 1-2-3 first inning by throwing five straight fastballs to Trout before striking him out looking with a sweeper. The MVP ex-teammates hadn't faced each other since Ohtani famously struck out Trout in Tokyo — with the same pitch — to end the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Ohtani was even meaner to Trout in their second meeting, starting him out with a 73 mph curve before eventually fanning him with that blazing fastball in the low outside corner. Outside of Trout, Ohtani saw plenty of familiar faces Wednesday: Seven of the nine hitters in the Angels' starting lineup played with him in Anaheim. But Ohtani hadn't been on the mound at the Big A since Aug. 23, 2023, when he abruptly left a start against Cincinnati in the second inning with elbow pain later revealed to be a torn ligament. The resulting surgery kept him off the mound entirely in 2024 after he signed his 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. Ohtani returned to pitching two months ago, and the Dodgers have gradually built up his innings while maintaining his everyday role as their DH and leadoff hitter. Before his mound return, Ohtani homered in each of the first two games of this series — although he also lined into a triple play Tuesday. After getting loud pregame cheers, Ohtani began by driving a 2-2 pitch from Kyle Hendricks into deep right for a triple, and he quickly scored on Betts' single. Will Smith added his 15th homer a few minutes later to stake his pitcher to a 3-0 lead. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Ward blasted a 97 mph fastball from Ohtani to right for his 29th homer, just the second allowed by Ohtani this season. Yoán Moncada then doubled and scored on two flyouts. Ohtani struck out at the plate in the second inning, but he drew a walk in the fourth, loading the bases and chasing Hendricks. Angels reliever Andrew Chafin struck out Ohtani with a slider when the slugger came up again in the sixth. ___ AP MLB:
Yomiuri Shimbun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Shohei Ohtani Fans Trout with 101 Mph Fastball While Pitching into the 5th in Return to Big A Mound
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani returned to the Angel Stadium mound with 4 1/3 innings of five-hit, four-run ball for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night in his first pitching appearance in Anaheim since he left the Los Angeles Angels nearly two years ago. Ohtani put on a two-way show for his old home crowd with seven strikeouts. He fanned Mike Trout twice, getting his friend and fellow MVP the second time with his fastest pitch of the night — a 101 mph fastball in the fourth inning. Ohtani also staked himself to an early lead by tripling and scoring as the Dodgers' leadoff hitter before he even took the mound, entertaining Angels fans with the same inimitable feats he accomplished regularly during his first six major league seasons with their club. Ohtani's mound start was his longest since he returned to pitching two months ago, but he didn't finish strong. He gave up three consecutive one-out hits in the fifth and left after Zach Neto's two-run double trimmed the Dodgers' lead to 5-4. Anthony Banda still escaped the jam, but only after the Angels loaded the bases. Ohtani also gave up a homer to Taylor Ward during the Angels' two-run second inning. He looked sharp in the next two innings before getting chased by two singles and Neto's drive. Ohtani is still beloved in Anaheim by fans who mostly couldn't blame him for leaving a team that could never assemble a winning lineup around him and Trout during six consecutive losing seasons. The three-time MVP — two of those trophies claimed with the Angels — has received cheers whenever he returns to the Big A, although that's also because much of the crowd wears Dodger Blue for these Freeway Series rivalry games. The fans were locked in on the main event in this showdown: After Trout and Ohtani acknowledged each other with slight nods and smirks, Ohtani finished his 1-2-3 first inning by throwing five straight fastballs to Trout before striking him out looking with a sweeper. The MVP ex-teammates hadn't faced each other since Ohtani famously struck out Trout in Tokyo — with the same pitch — to end the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Ohtani was even meaner to Trout in their second meeting, starting him out with a 73 mph curve before eventually fanning him with that blazing fastball in the low outside corner. Outside of Trout, Ohtani saw plenty of familiar faces Wednesday: Seven of the nine hitters in the Angels' starting lineup played with him in Anaheim. But Ohtani hadn't been on the mound at the Big A since Aug. 23, 2023, when he abruptly left a start against Cincinnati in the second inning with elbow pain later revealed to be a torn ligament. The resulting surgery kept him off the mound entirely in 2024 after he signed his 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. Ohtani returned to pitching two months ago, and the Dodgers have gradually built up his innings while maintaining his everyday role as their DH and leadoff hitter. Before his mound return, Ohtani homered in each of the first two games of this series — although he also lined into a triple play Tuesday. After getting loud pregame cheers, Ohtani began by driving a 2-2 pitch from Kyle Hendricks into deep right for a triple, and he quickly scored on Betts' single. Will Smith added his 15th homer a few minutes later to stake his pitcher to a 3-0 lead. Ward blasted a 97 mph fastball from Ohtani to right for his 29th homer, just the second allowed by Ohtani this season. Yoán Moncada then doubled and scored on two flyouts. Ohtani struck out at the plate in the second inning, but he drew a walk in the fourth, loading the bases and chasing Hendricks. Angels reliever Andrew Chafin struck out Ohtani with a slider when the slugger came up again in the sixth.
Newsweek
26-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Dodgers Could Reunite With Closer Kenley Jansen in Deadline Homecoming
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Dodgers likely know they need to add to the bullpen before the trade deadline passes on Thursday. While the team has been connected to Jhoan Duran, Ryan Helsley, and Emmanuel Clase, there's one reliever that has been forgotten about: long-time Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen. Jansen previously admitted he thought he would wear Dodger Blue for the rest of his career. PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 18: Kenley Jansen #74 of the Los Angeles Angels throws a pitch in the ninth inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 18, 2025... PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 18: Kenley Jansen #74 of the Los Angeles Angels throws a pitch in the ninth inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 18, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More"I thought I would play my whole career with the Dodgers," Jansen told Bill Shailkin of the LA Times. Now, Shailkin believes the Dodgers should pursue Jansen at the trade deadline. "The Dodgers are urgently shopping for right-handed relievers," wrote Shailkin. "In Anaheim, Jansen is enjoying a season that by some measures is his best since 2021, his last season with the Dodgers. ... They need pitching depth, and it would be organizational malpractice not to get some by trading their pending free agents, Jansen included." In 40 games this season, Jansen has recorded 17 saves en route to posting a 3.19 ERA for the Angels. On a better team like the Dodgers, his ERA should drop. However, questions are arising about whether Jansen would be willing to pitch outside of the ninth inning. "At that point, it's just about getting rings," Jansen told Shailkibn. "My goal is to win. You play for that, always. I understand there is a milestone I am close to. But, at the end of the day, it's what you play for. You play to win. You play to win a World Series. If I have to go throw the sixth, seventh, eighth, I would do it. I'm a professional. I would do what I do best, and that is pitch." Jansen would be a strong addition to the back of the Dodgers' bullpen if he's willing to pitch outside of the ninth inning. However, if Tanner Scott continues to struggle, the Dodgers could consider moving Jansen back to the closer role at Dodger Stadium if they acquire him. More MLB: Phillies Enter Trade Deadline Race for All-Star Slugger Eugenio Suárez
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
'Unicorn' Clayton Kershaw joins 3,000 strikeout club
LOS ANGELES – Agonizing. Tortuous. Painful. At times it was that tough watching Los Angeles Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw on the mound before the magical moment Kershaw became the 20th pitcher to strike out 3,000 batters – and he did it against the lowly Chicago White Sox the hard way. Entering the game needing only three strikeouts to reach the milestone, Kershaw labored through six innings. Until on his 100th pitch, he recorded strikeout No. 3,000. Kershaw, 37, left with the Dodgers trailing the Chicago White Sox 4-2– and the home crowd roaring after his achievement. He was on the hook for the loss until the Dodgers rallied with three runs in the bottom of the ninth, earning a 5-4 win with Freddie Freeman's walk-off single. Kershaw is not flawless pitcher, given his share of postseason struggles. But Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was spot on before the game when he called Kershaw 'a unicorn." The Dodgers clubhouse also happens to be occupied by baseball's ultimate unicorn – Shohei Ohtani. He's the ultimate two-way superstar, recently throwing a 102 mph fastball and at 30 already having won three MVP awards. But Kershaw has done something Ohtani can't match. In fact, there's a chance no player ever will. It starts with loyalty. Tommy Lasorda, the late Dodgers manager insisted he bled Dodger Blue. There's no need to check Kershaw's veins. Clearly, he's a blueblood. He has spent his entire 18-year career with the Dodgers, and joining the exclusive club of pitchers with 3,000 strikeouts further underscored how rare that is. Of the 20 pitchers in the 3,000 club, only Walter Johnson and Bob Gibson got there while playing exclusively with one club – Johnson with the Washington Senators and Gibson with the St. Louis Cardinals. Kershaw's on-field contributions to the Dodgers put him in rare company. Ten All-Star appearances. Three Cy Young awards. Two World Series rings. Entering Wednesday, he had a 216-94 career record and a ERA of 2.51. Clayton's journey to 3,000. Roberts said Kershaw, 37, also impacts the younger pitchers on the Dodgers' staff. 'A lot guys grab him, get his ear," Roberts said. 'But for the most part, I think that's just kind of how he goes about it. He's always talking the game. He's watching the game. More importantly, he's very consistent. 'Even yesterday I was watching in the pen, he was doing his dry work (practicing skills without using a ball) and this is something he's done for 18 years the day before a start.'' Roberts said Kershaw had the 3,000-strikeout milestone in mind when he decided to return to the Dodgers in 2025. But before the season started, Kershaw underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee and a ruptured plantar plate in his left big toe. Recovering, Kershaw did not make his first start until May 17. He entering the historic game 4-0 with a 3.03 ERA and with 29 strikeouts in 38 ⅔ innings pitched this season. It's more than many people expected from a veteran who's grown more brittle, and, Roberts said, 'A reminder for me for anyone to never bet against that guy." The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
