DENVER — Previous to Wednesday’s sport towards the Rockies, Shohei Ohtani had solely taken the mound at hitter-friendly Coors Subject as soon as earlier than — in the course of the 2021 All-Star Recreation, when he began for the American League and pitched a scoreless inning.
Whereas Coors has confirmed again and again to be a venue wherein something can and does occur, Ohtani hoped his first regular-season look on the mound there would go easily, too.
But it surely was something however — Ohtani gave up 5 runs on a career-high-tying 9 hits over 4 innings within the Dodgers’ 8-3 loss to the Rockies. Including damage to insult, he was hit on the aspect of his higher proper leg by a 93.7 mph comebacker off the bat of Orlando Arcia within the fourth.
Though Ohtani stayed within the sport after being checked on by supervisor Dave Roberts and the coaching workers, he was changed within the lineup by pinch-hitter Alex Name to open the eighth inning with the Dodgers trailing, 6-1. In three journeys to the plate on the night time, Ohtani was 1-for-2 with a double and a stroll.
Earlier than his tough outing Wednesday, Ohtani had solely surrendered 9 hits in a sport as soon as in his MLB profession, towards the Astros whereas he was with the Angels again on Sept. 10, 2021.