AP

Ohtani wins 6th straight start, triples in Angels’ 7-1 win

Jul 13, 2022, 10:39 AM | Updated: 11:51 pm

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani celebrates after striking out Houston Astros' J.J...

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani celebrates after striking out Houston Astros' J.J. Matijevic to end the top of the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)


              Los Angeles Angels' Brandon Marsh, second from right, scores on a triple by Shohei Ohtani, left, as Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado stands at the plate during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
            
              Los Angeles Angels' Jonathan Villar, left, scores on a single by Brandon Marsh as Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado takes a late throw during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
            
              Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
            
              Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
            
              Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena attempts to throw out Los Angeles Angels' Jonathan Villar at first during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. The throw was off target and Villar advanced to second on the play. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
            
              Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the second inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
            
              Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
            
              Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani celebrates after striking out Houston Astros' J.J. Matijevic to end the top of the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is putting to rest any doubts anyone might have had about whether he could exceed what he accomplished during last year’s AL MVP campaign.

The two-way Japanese phenom won his sixth straight start by striking out 12 in six innings and also hit a two-run triple in the Los Angeles Angels’ 7-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night.

Over his last six starts, Ohtani has allowed only three runs (two earned) and 20 hits in 39 2/3 innings with 58 strikeouts and 11 walks. The right-hander is 9-4 with a 2.38 ERA in 15 starts this season.

“The last few starts, unfortunately we’ve lost a couple going into it and he takes that personally. He understands how important his day is,” manager Phil Nevin said after the Halos snapped a five-game losing streak. “His last three or four times, he has put the team on his back.”

It’s the third time this season Ohtani has had double-digit strikeouts and multiple RBIs in a game. The only other pitchers to accomplish that are Atlanta’s Kevin Millwood in 1999 and Hal Newhouser with Detroit in 1946.

It was Ohtani’s final start on the mound before next Tuesday’s All-Star Game just up at the road at Dodger Stadium. The reigning AL MVP was selected to his second straight All-Star Game as a hitter and a pitcher.

Houston manager Dusty Baker, who is managing the AL squad, said it’s a possibility Ohtani could start on the mound for the second straight year.

“I mean, as a starting pitcher, it is a special spot to start in the All-Star Game,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “That’s something that I shoot for and I would like to do, but I’m sure there’s other pitchers that have better numbers than me at this point. I tried my best to try to match up with them tonight and ultimately it’s up to Dusty Baker.”

Ohtani also became the fifth pitcher to have at least 50 strikeouts and allow one or fewer earned runs over a five-game span since earned runs became an official statistic in 1913. The others were Chris Sale (2018), Clayton Kershaw (2014-15), R.A. Dickey (2012) and Randy Johnson (1997).

Ohtani also hasn’t made a final decision about participating in Monday’s Home Run Derby. Seven of the eight participants have been announced, but the deadline to decide is Thursday because ESPN will be releasing the bracket.

“I haven’t really discussed how I’m going to be used in the game with anyone. I don’t really have an answer,” Ohtani said. “It’s really gonna depend on how many innings I pitch or how many at-bats I’m gonna get. If it is going to be too much, then I’ve got to balance at this point.”

Luis Rengifo had three hits and drove in a pair of runs with a bases-loaded single in the sixth for the Angels. Mike Trout sat out with back spasms.

Houston’s Cristian Javier, who struck out 14 Angels on July 1, went only 3 2/3 innings and allowed three runs but had 10 strikeouts. The last time a major league starter went less than four innings and recorded double-digit Ks was Cleveland’s Danny Salazar in 2014.

“He threw the ball well, he just didn’t have the command. They fouled off a bunch of pitches too,” Baker said of Javier.

Yuli Gurriel’s RBI single in the fourth inning drove in Kyle Tucker and was the first earned run Ohtani allowed in 31 2/3 innings It was the longest run by a Halos starter since John Lackey went 30 2/3 innings in 2006.

Ohtani equaled Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan in two areas Wednesday. He’s the first Angels hurler since Ryan to post double-digit strikeouts in four straight games. Ohtani’s two-run triple into the right-field corner in the second inning, which extended the lead to 3-0, made him the first Angels starter since Ryan in 1972 to hit a three-bagger.

WHOLE LOT OF K’S

There were a combined 32 strikeouts by both teams, an American League record for a nine-inning game. The Angels struck out 17 times and the Astros 15.

SMALL BALL

Two of the Angels’ 12 hits came on bunt singles, including Brandon Marsh’s down the third-base line to bring home Jonathan Villar in the third inning for the game’s first run.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Angels: RHP Jimmy Herget (right shoulder impingement) threw a bullpen session Tuesday with another planned at the end of the week.

ROSTER MOVE

With Trout sitting out, outfielder Jo Adell was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake. This is Adell’s third stint at the major-league level this season. Monte Harrison was designated for assignment. Adell had two hits, including an RBI single during a four-run sixth inning that put the game away.

UP NEXT

The teams conclude their series Thursday. Astros’ LHP Framber Valdez (8-4, 2.64 ERA) has a 7-4 career record against the Angels. Los Angeles has not named a starter.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Associated Press

Ex-Packer Guion gets 1 year for domestic violence assault

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading no contest in a domestic violence assault at his home last fall. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh also ordered Guion on Tuesday to serve three years’ probation and complete a domestic […]

1 year ago

Joe Jarzynka...

Associated Press

Durant eager for Suns debut vs. Hornets after knee injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant has been through quite a bit during his 15-year NBA career — but joining a new team midway through the season is a new one for the 13-time All-Star. The 34-year-old Durant doesn’t seem all that worried. Durant makes his highly anticipated Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday night against […]

1 year ago

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the second half of an N...

Associated Press

Judge: NFL coach can press discrimination claims in court

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Coach Brian Flores can pursue some of his discrimination claims against the league and its teams in court rather than through arbitration, a judge ruled Wednesday. The written decision by Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan was issued months after lawyers for the league tried to get the lawsuit moved to […]

1 year ago

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock cools off in the first period during an NHL hockey game ...

Associated Press

Kane trade reinforces hard reality of Blackhawks rebuild

CHICAGO (AP) — After days of speculation, the harsh reality of the Chicago Blackhawks’ situation was reinforced by one move in a flurry of transactions ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Showtime is over, at least in Chicago, and a seemingly bright future is, well, way off in the distance. The reverberations of Chicago’s decision […]

1 year ago

FILE -  Yves Jean-Bart, president of the Haitian Football Federation, wearing a protective face mas...

Associated Press

Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he’s back

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s former soccer federation president whose lifetime ban from sport over sexual abuse allegations was overturned last month announced Wednesday that he is reclaiming his position. Yves Jean-Bart’s defiant announcement could lead to a standoff with FIFA, which already has appointed an emergency management committee to lead the Haitian Football Association […]

1 year ago

FILE - Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the ...

Associated Press

Rodgers says decision on future will come ‘soon enough’

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers says he will make a decision on his future “soon enough” as the four-time MVP quarterback ponders whether to play next season and if his future remains with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers, 39, discussed his future while speaking on an episode of the “Aubrey Marcus Podcast” that […]

1 year ago

Ohtani wins 6th straight start, triples in Angels’ 7-1 win