Shohei Ohtani didn’t get the same old pomp and circumstance a particular participant will get when returning to their previous house stadium. Arguably, he acquired one thing higher: the ambiance of an precise house sport.
The 44,731 folks in attendance Tuesday for the primary of two video games between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels at Angel Stadium made certain to let him understand how a lot they appreciated him.
Earlier than his first at-bat, Ohtani obtained a standing ovation. When he ripped a line drive down the right-field line two innings later, “M-V-P” chants greeted him as he reached third base.
“As a participant, I really feel very supported and appreciative of all of the followers which can be in entrance of me, in entrance of the workforce,” Ohtani mentioned by way of an interpreter. “It makes a distinction that they’re out right here.”
Ohtani’s return to Anaheim on Tuesday got here precisely one yr after his final sport in an Angels uniform. It was additionally the primary time he performed a significant September sport on the stadium.
In March, the Angels gave him a video tribute. This time, they simply put up a video board message itemizing his accomplishments as he walked up for his first at-bat. Within the fifth inning, the outline below his title learn: “USED TO WORK HERE.”
“The largest a part of all of that is actually having the ability to play at this stadium in entrance of the Anaheim followers,” Ohtani mentioned. “That was the half that was particular for me.”
The Dodgers’ 10-inning, 6-2 win marked the primary significant September sport Ohtani has ever performed at Angel Stadium. With the perfect document within the Nationwide League and a 5.5-game lead over the Padres, Ohtani is lastly on the verge of reaching the postseason for the primary time in his MLB profession.
Ohtani completed the night time 1-for-4 with a triple, a stroll, two runs scored and one run pushed in. He got here to the plate within the high of the tenth with a 3-2 lead and a runner on first however the Angels didn’t need him to trigger any extra harm. He was deliberately walked and the Angels opted to pitch to Mookie Betts.
Betts homered on the primary pitch he noticed from reliever Roansy Contreras.
“You’re choosing poison if you take care of the primary three hitters,” Washington mentioned. “I wasn’t going to let Ohtani swing there, and I’ve all of the respect on the planet for Mookie Betts. I simply hoped Contreras may make a pitch and get us a floor ball.”
Ohtani got here up with a runner on within the eighth, however José Quijada struck him out with a pair of excessive fastballs.
Picture Credit score: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Photographs
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