The Dodgers failed to score a run in the final game of the Freeway Series against the Angels on Tuesday night, but Ohtani’s 11-strikeout performance provided reassurance that he is ready for regular season work out of the Dodgers rotation.
On the eve of MLB opening day, the Dodgers started the first frame strong with two strikeouts by Ohtani and a spinning throw from shortstop Mookie Betts to retire Nolan Schanuel.
Three straight strikeouts
from Ohtani in the second inning stranded the first two runners who reached base against him with a single and a walk.
Ohtani mowed down eight of the first 11 batters he faced via the strikeout. I think he may be ready for the regular season.
Jack Kochanowicz was having a great game himself against the Dodgers offense. The right-hander struck out four through three scoreless innings.
Shohei reached double digits in strikeouts before the end of the fourth inning.
The Dodgers were hitless against Kochanowicz. Ohtani’s lead-off single in the bottom of the fourth against Nick Sandlin was the first base hit for the Dodgers on the night.
The Angels were the first to get on the board. Josh Lowe, Travis d’Arnaud, and Oswald Peraza hit three consecutive singles and drove in a run against Ohtani in the top of the fifth.
Ohtani allowed one run on four hits with 11 strikeouts and two walks on 86 pitches. Pitcher Ohani and hitter Ohtani both looked locked in.
Pitcher Ohtani struck out six straight Angels during one stretch of the game. This start felt quite different from his spring training debut on March 18 when Shohei Ohtani described his early outings as an “extension of a live BP (batting practice) situation.”
Ohtani looked season ready on the mound and at the plate, but the rest of Dave Roberts’ final spring game lineup for the didn’t convert a run all night.
Antoine Kelly took over for Ohtani and his two bases-loaded walks gave the Angels a 3-0 lead.
The Dodgers didn’t collect their second hit of the game until Max Muncy’s two-out double in the bottom half of the fifth. They stranded another two runners in the seventh.
Justin Wrobleski pitched three scoreless innings with five strikeouts in his final exhibition relief appearance.
The Cactus League champions wrap-up their spring schedule with a record of 20-9.
UP NEXT
Real baseball starts Thursday for the Dodgers when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks for the celebratory first series of the season. The opening game of the three-game series against the Snakes starts at 5:30 p.m. PT on NBC. World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes on fellow right-hander Zac Gallen in the Dodgers home opener.
