Shohei Ohtani didn’t get the normal pomp and situation an unique gamer gets when going back to their old home arena. Arguably, he got something much better: the environment of a real home video game.
The 44,731 individuals in presence Tuesday for the very first of 2 video games in between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels at Angel Stadium ensured to let him understand just how much they valued him.
Before his very first at-bat, Ohtani got a standing ovation. When he ripped a line drive down the right-field line 2 innings later on, “M-V-P” chants welcomed him as he reached 3rd base.
“As a player, I feel very supported and appreciative of all the fans that are in front of me, in front of the team,” Ohtani stated through an interpreter. “It makes a difference that they’re out here.”
Ohtani’s go back to Anaheim on Tuesday came precisely one year after his last video game in an Angels uniform. It was likewise the very first time he played a significant September video game at the arena.
In March, the Angels offered him a video homage. This time, they simply set up a video board message noting his achievements as he strolled up for his very first at-bat. In the 5th inning, the description under his name read: “USED TO WORK HERE.”
“The biggest part of all of this is really being able to play at this stadium in front of the Anaheim fans,” Ohtani stated. “That was the part that was special for me.”
The Dodgers’ 10-inning, 6-2 win significant the very first significant September video game Ohtani has actually ever dipped into Angel Stadium. With the very best record in the National League and a 5.5-game lead over the Padres, Ohtani is lastly on the brink of reaching the postseason for the very first time in his MLB profession.
Ohtani ended up the night 1-for-4 with a triple, a walk, 2 runs scored and one run driven in. He pertained to the plate in the top of the 10th with a 3-2 lead and a runner on very first however the Angels didn’t desire him to trigger anymore damage. He was deliberately strolled and the Angels chose to pitch to Mookie Betts.
Betts homered on the very first pitch he saw from reducer Roansy Contreras.
“You’re picking poison when you deal with the first three hitters,” Washington stated. “I wasn’t going to let Ohtani swing there, and I have all the respect in the world for Mookie Betts. I just was hoping Contreras could make a pitch and get us a ground ball.”
Ohtani created a runner on in the 8th, however José Quijada struck him out with a set of high fastballs.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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