OAK 1, LAA 6: Athletics dominated by Shohei Ohtani and the Angels
The Oakland Athletics were shut down on offense against Shohei Ohtani and the Angels on Sunday, losing 6-1 in the series finale.
The Athletics just couldn’t pull through against a superb pitching effort, losing the series 2-1 in Anaheim.
Ohtani struck out the side in the first inning and he would keep rolling from there. He had a perfect game going through 6 1/3 innings, but a Marcus Semien base-hit in the seventh brought that to an end. Ohtani, deservedly so, received a standing ovation from the crowd at Angels Stadium.
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He finished with an impressive line, allowing one hit, one walk and striking out 12 in seven innings.
Ohtani used a devastating splitter and high 90’s fastball to tear through the A’s lineup all day long. All 12 of his strikeouts were swinging strikeouts, pointing to how dominant he truly was.
Kendall Graveman lasted 3 1/3 innings, and he’s probably lucky he made it that far, allowing five hits, five runs and four walks. Graveman ran into the same problems that have been present during his first two starts; poor command and leaving multiple balls right over the plate.
It makes you wonder how long the A’s will keep rolling him out there when he clearly isn’t locked in at the moment.
Matt Joyce scored the Athletics’ lone run today, a solo shot to right center field in the ninth inning. He finished the game 1-for-4.
Matt Olson had a rough outing against Ohtani, striking out three times in three at bats.
The streak is over
Matt Chapman‘s career-high nine-game hitting streak came to an end on Sunday. He went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. It was also the first time this season that Chapman has failed to reach base in a game.
It was a rough game overall for the Athletics and Chapman just happened to run into the red-hot Ohtani at the wrong time. He’ll undoubtedly bounce back.
Up next
The A’s have an off day tomorrow before starting a two-game set against the Dodgers on Tuesday. It’s the first off-day of the season for the team and it was much-needed, too.
Outfielder Trayce Thompson is expected to play in both games against his former team the Dodgers, with two left-handers scheduled to start for LA.
Next: Mark Canha recalled from Triple-A
Franklin Barreto and Mark Canha, who were recently called up from Triple-A, could also see some playing time.
Sean Manaea and Daniel Mengden are projected to start for the Athletics.