Ohtani, Angels to aim for series win vs. SF Giants on Wednesday

Aug 9, 2023, 8:38 AM

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 08: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels shares a moment with B...

(Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

One day removed from arguably the San Francisco Giants’ most exciting comeback win of the season, the Los Angeles Angels evened the series thanks to a big night from their offense.

The Angels racked up eight runs on 12 hits during Tuesday’s 7-5 win over the Giants, a victory that pushed San Francisco (62-52) five games behind the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.

Giants pitchers surrendered seven runs for just the second time since July 23rd, as San Francisco’s bullpen could not contain a Los Angeles offense that tacked on four runs during the first inning alone.

4️⃣ in the first! #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/StCfNgmqb9

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 9, 2023

Soon-to-be-two-time-MVP Shohei Ohtani got things rolling for the Angels in the first by driving in a run off of Giants’ left-hander Scott Alexander for his American League-leading 83rd RBI of the season.

It wouldn’t take long for things to unravel from there as Los Angeles added three more runs before the first inning came to a close.

“He was just leaving the ball up a little bit,” manager Gabe Kapler said of Alexander’s first inning. “Some good hitters over there taking some good swings.”

San Francisco made things close after Joc Pederson and Wilmer Flores drove runs in to cut the deficit to 4-3, but the Angels added runs in the fifth and seventh innings to keep the Giants at arms’ reach.

“It’s always challenging to play from behind,” Kapler said postgame. “In particular, I think it’s because the opposing pitcher is going to have a little more confidence with a cushion. And even though you’re scratching and clawing your way back in, he’s going to maintain that confidence as long as he has a lead. I think that makes it more challenging.”

Things will get even more challenging for San Francisco on Wednesday as they will have to face Ohtani–both on the mound and in the batter’s box–in the series finale.

"I think he's the most talented baseball player of all time." ⭐

— Logan Webb raves about Shohei Ohtani pic.twitter.com/DJwUWZDNc0

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) August 8, 2023

Ohtani, who currently is flirting with the American League’s batting Triple Crown, also holds a 9-5 record with a 3.32 ERA and 160 strikeouts over 124.2 innings pitched this season.

The Giants will send Ryan Walker (4-1, 2.52 ERA) to the mound against Ohtani in the last meeting between these two California teams this season.