For the first time since the implementation of the designated hitter, we saw a true two-way player in a match. On the national stage of ESPN on Sunday Night Baseball, the Englishman Shohei Ohtani started on the hill and put himself in the batting order in the two-hole.
It started with a bang and ended negatively and in a bizarre way.
It was the first time since 1976 that an AL team willingly relinquished its DH place (via James Smyth) and even then the pitcher strikes eighth. As the ESPN broadcast pointed out, it was the first time since 1903 that a pitcher had hit second place in a batting order.
On the hill, Ohtani pumped gas from the start, hitting 98 with his first pitch and hitting as high as 101 on the radar in the first inning. He did not have much control over the things that were not fast, but his fast ball was enough to do the job while he was working a two-way step.
Then it was Ohtani’s turn to hit and, boy, did he hit. At the first pitch he sees, he hits it 450 feet:
Admit it, you thought it was exaggerated to say Ohtani could hit 101 and 450 in the same game. And get it: through the bat, Ohtani now possessed the toughest spot of an appetizer this season and the hardest ball (115.2 mph) of the season by any player, reports ESPN Statistics and Information.
No starting pitcher has visited the first seven places since the babe order since Babe Ruth in 1933 (via Pitching Ninja). In the last 50 years, a pitcher has only been smashed eight times in the first innings.
Things went beautifully for Ohtani through four innings. He was 1-for-3, but with his second bat he absolutely scorched a lineout to the center field. He also worked four pointless innings on the hill.
However, things unraveled on the hill in the fifth inning. With two runs and a runner at base, Ohtani walked with Adam Eaton and Jose Abreu. He was able to get Yoan Moncada on a full, swinging shot, but the ball got away, catcher Max Stassi’s throw to the first base to beat Moncada got away and the throw went home to prevent ‘. a second run could not score, also got away while Abreu’s slide took Ohtani unintentionally.
Yes, two runs scored during a goal shooting.
It was now 3-3 Ohtani’s night was over.
His last rules:
- 1 for 3, HR, R, RBI
- 4 2/3 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 7 K
There is not really anything to offend. He hit the ball hard and looked good. On the hill, he sometimes struggled with command and three batsmen were left out there for too long by a driver who was apparently dead set on beating him. The stuff was absolutely filthy. He threw another 100 with non-fast stuff in his last inning in the 90s. He only completely lost command at the end, when he was probably tired.
In general, it should be considered a success that lays the foundation for its future periods on the hill. Meanwhile, he will continue to be a DH if he does not throw.