HOUSTON, TX – Ready, set, Sho-Time. Shohei Ohtani did it all for the Los Angeles Angels (8-5) in their 6-0 win over the division-rival Houston Astros (6-6).
Making his third start of the season, Ohtani was nearly perfect. He fired six scoreless innings, allowing just one walk and one hit while striking out 12. The win was his first of the year.
A big first inning proved beneficial for the Angels. After the first three batters of the game got on base, Anthony Rendon walked in a run to get the Angels on the board. A Brandon Marsh single drove in Taylor Ward, extending the lead to two.
Another walk with the bases loaded and two outs drove in another run before an error on first basemen Yuli Gurriel allowed a fourth run to score.
Ohtani launched his third double of the season off the left-field wall to drive in two more runs, capping off the six-run inning.
Angels on Cloud Nine
Ohtani did not allow a baserunner until the bottom of the sixth inning when Jason Castro singled to left field and broke up the perfect game.
Ohtani ended his night going two for four at the plate with two RBI. The RBI was his ninth of the season. With Ohtani now finding his groove at the plate after a slow start to the season, he is proving that the dominance he showcased on both sides last year was no fluke.
On the year, Ohtani now has a 4.40 ERA, netting 26 strikeouts in just 14.1 total innings. He now seems to be settling in on the mound, and it will be interesting to see how he builds off this great night overall.
Angels outfielder Brandon Marsh continued his solid start to the season with a two for two showing at the plate. He is now hitting .323 as he looks to prove he can be an everyday outfielder for Manager Joe Madden.
Astros’ Slow Start Continues
With a slow start offensively, the Astros lineup has not been up to expectations. They are hitting below .212 on the season as a whole.
The Astros’ pitching has been a bit inconsistent so far, as evident by Odorizzi tonight. He went just .2 innings allowing three earned runs (six total) on four walks and two hits while striking out two.
Blake Taylor came in for relief of Odorizzi and got out of the first before firing a scoreless second inning.
On the bright side for the Astros, reliever Cristian Javier was stellar in relief of Taylor, throwing 3.2 scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and a walk while striking out four.
Javier, who has some experience as a starter, continues to make a case for him to be implemented into the rotation. As a whole, the bullpen threw 8.1 scoreless innings for the Astros, but ultimately the offense could not get going against Ohtani.
Despite starting the year off not on the best of notes, the Astros still find themselves tied for second place in the AL West.
Looking Ahead
The Houston Astros have an off day on Thursday, April 21st before they take on the Toronto Blue Jays for a three-game weekend series beginning on Friday, April 22nd. Justin Verlander, Jose Urquidy, and Luis Garcia will take the mound against the Blue Jays this weekend.
The first-place Los Angeles Angels also have an off day on Thursday, April 21. They then take on the Baltimore Orioles for a three-game series that ends on Sunday, April 24. The Angels will send out Reid Detmers, Noah Syndergaard, and Jose Suarez against the O’s.
 in their 6-0 win over the division-rival Houston Astros (6-6).){kind=link}