Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani was named Player of the Week for the American League after another incredible stretch of play this past week.
The 29-year-old went 6-for-20 with three home runs, four RBI, one double, with six walks, six runs and a stolen base. To go along with his .800 slugging percentage, Ohtani tossed his first career complete game and first career shutout against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.
His masterful pitching performance came in the first game of the Angels’ doubleheader with the Tigers, but in the second game he would launch two homers, putting his own stamp on the day. It was his 16th career mutli-homer game, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to throw a shutout in one leg of a doubleheader and homer in the other.
Ohtani earned his seventh career Player of the Week award, previously winning on June 20th and July 3rd. He also joined Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan as the only players in franchise history to win the award seven times.
On the season, Ohtani has posted a 187 wRC+ with 39 home runs, 81 RBI, 81 runs scored, with a .680 slugging percentage. The Angels made the decision to rally around the MVP front-runner, dealing various top assets this past week to acquire needed pieces to build onto an injury-riddle roster.
Angels needed comeback win against Blue Jays
Sunday’s win over the Toronto Blue Jays had more to do with momentum, and after Hunter Renfroe delivered the game-winning, two-run home run in extra innings, it also snapped the team’s 0-for-27 skid with runners in scoring position in the series.
The win provided a boost with their demeanor after a hard fought weekend, and it was a mentality they carried into their opener against the Atlanta Braves. On Monday, the Angels defeated the Braves 4-1, leading from the first inning on against the class of the National League.
Chase Silseth provided the Angels with five innings, allowing just one run on three hits, while the bullpen allowed just one hit throughout the remainder of the game.
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