As if Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani wasn’t talented enough, he managed to make a bit of Major League Baseball history in his start against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.
In his second start of the season, Ohtani put his pitching wizardry on display once again, logging eight strikeouts over six innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits in a tightrope game for the Angels’ ace. At the plate, he tallied an RBI single in the top of the seventh inning to extend their lead to 4-1.
After clawing their way back into the game to make it a 4-3 game, the Angels closed the door, securing a win for Ohtani. A good, but not great performance from their two-way star was highlighted by him becoming the first player in league history to have a pitch clock violation on the mound and as a hitter.
Shohei Ohtani: 1st Player ever to have a Pitch Clock Violation as a Pitcher AND Hitter. 🍾
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 5, 2023
Neither of his violations proved to be impactful. However, the oddity of him being in the box but not set and alert with eight seconds on the pitch clock cost him a strike, despite Mariners reliever Matt Brash being nowhere near ready to deliver a pitch.
The new rules are making for some fun and different moments around Major League Baseball, but some obscure times nonetheless.
Logan O’Hoppe grateful for spot on Angels Opening Day roster
The Los Angeles Angels may have a difficult decision when it comes to the immediate future of their catching position at the Major League level, but for now, Logan O’Hoppe is taking in every bit of his initial taste of Major League Baseball.
Prior to the season, the initial depth chart with the catcher position was led by Max Stassi, with Matt Thaiss backing him up. However, an injury to Stassi opened the door for O’Hoppe to make his first Opening Day roster as a member of the Angels.
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