Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani had a historic day both at the plate and on the mound in the team’s doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the end of the day that he would have hoped for.
Ohtani took the mound for Game 1 of the doubleheader and was sensational as usual.
He thoroughly dominated the Tigers’ offense, throwing his first career complete game shutout while striking out eight batters and only allowing one hit.
Shohei Ohtani throws a one-hitter and his first career complete game shutout! ⚾️🔥🦄pic.twitter.com/CfZ7DCiHSG
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) July 27, 2023
This would have been good enough for anyone in one day. But Ohtani is a generational talent that has clearly separated himself from any other player in baseball, and showed off his incredible hitting ability in Game 2.
Ohtani would hit two monstrous home runs in the second game of the doubleheader that directly led to the second win of the day for the Angels.
Shortly after throwing a complete game shutout, Shohei Ohtani crushes an opposite-field homer! ⚾️💣🦄pic.twitter.com/Gz3JVOof4T
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) July 27, 2023
SHOHEI AGAIN‼️🤯💣@Angels | #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/th0EsZqvZy
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) July 27, 2023
This dominant performance in both games makes him the first player in MLB history to throw a shutout in one game of a doubleheader and hit a home run in the other game.
Shohei Ohtani is the first player to throw a shutout in one game of a doubleheader, then hit a home run in the other game of the doubleheader. h/t @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/lwmYmtDIIT
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 27, 2023
It was all around a great day for the Angels, except for how Game 2 of the doubleheader ended for Ohtani. He was ultimately removed from the game after his second home run, and a replay of the home run showed Ohtani grabbing at his oblique area as he jogged to first base.
After hitting his second home run Shohei appeared to grab his side and went up the tunnel after returning to the dugout pic.twitter.com/ol0xekHq6R
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 27, 2023
Luckily, it doesn’t sound like Ohtani’s abrupt exit is all that concerning of an issue. The Angels revealed that Ohtani was pulled from the game due to cramps.
Shohei Ohtani was removed from today’s game due to cramping.
— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) July 27, 2023
Fans took to social media to express their relief that this early departure is seemingly no big deal.
Everyone can exhale https://t.co/iUjDfUU3DA
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 27, 2023
Well that's … a relief. https://t.co/BNx4GsNtQ4
— Chris Novak (@ChrisMNovak) July 27, 2023
Makes sense to have back cramps when he’s carrying the entire franchise. https://t.co/WRluQM2VBk
— Francis Carlota (@SluggaSports) July 27, 2023
Unprecedented to pitch complete game shutout and then play 2nd game much less hit 2HRs before leaving. https://t.co/LffTc9rxzM
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) July 27, 2023
prolly from carrying this team on his back 😭 https://t.co/uPWDNSutID
— birdie🐥 (@baseballbirdie) July 27, 2023
It certainly would have been a huge damper to Ohtani’s spectacular day if he were to have suffered a serious injury on a home run. Thankfully, that doesn’t seem to be the case, and his special season can continue uninterrupted.
