Shohei Ohtani hit an RBI triple in his first regular-season game back at Angel Stadium, and he scored when Mookie Betts hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night.
Ohtani went 1 for 4 with his triple in the third inning. He was warmly welcomed back to the stadium where he had an impressive six-year stint with the Angels.
Ohtani won two AL MVP awards and a Rookie of the Year trophy while changing what’s expected in modern baseball, but he couldn’t lead the Angels to a winning season.
“The biggest part of all this is being able to play at this stadium in front of the Anaheim fans,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “That was the part that was special for me. … Most importantly, it’s about winning the game, and I’m glad we won.”
The Dodgers were already ahead 3-2 in the 10th inning after Miguel Rojas’ RBI single. The Angels then intentionally walked Ohtani to face Betts, who hit the next pitch from Roansy Contreras (2-4) over the left-field fence.
“With Shohei doing what Shohei always does, I understand their perspective,” Betts said. “So I was just trying to get a good pitch to hit.”
Ron Washington was the first opposing manager to intentionally walk the batter in front of Betts, an eight-time All-Star and former AL MVP, since 2016.
“You’re picking poison when you deal with the first three hitters,” Washington said. “I wasn’t going to let Ohtani swing there, and I have all the respect in the world for Mookie Betts. I just was hoping Contreras could make a pitch and get us a ground ball.”
Ohtani and Betts, who combined for four RBIs, celebrated together at home plate as the Dodgers completed their 12th win in their last 15 games.
“It was still a big hit, but when another manager walks the player in front of you, you take it personally,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I know Wash had nothing personal. It’s a fine baseball decision, but as a player, that’s what motivates you.”
Ohtani received more cheers than boos from a full crowd that included many Dodgers fans when he came up as the first hitter of the game.
The Angels didn’t give him a major tribute, only showing a graphic of his top accomplishments with the team he chose as his first major league club in late 2017.
“Probably a little more enthusiasm than typical down here,” Dodgers starter Walker Buehler said about the packed crowd. “We’re an hour away, but it’s a different situation for us.”
Michael Kopech (5-8) pitched the ninth inning for the Dodgers. Logan O’Hoppe and Taylor Ward hit home runs for the Angels, who couldn’t manage three consecutive wins for the first time since July 24.
Angels reliever Ben Joyce ended the Dodgers’ ninth inning by striking out Tommy Edman with a 105.5-mph fastball, the third-fastest pitch thrown in the majors since pitch-tracking started in 2008.
Reid Detmers struck out 10 and allowed three hits over six innings. This was his first major league game since June 1, after being sent to the minors due to inconsistent performance.
Walker Buehler gave up five hits and two walks over five innings for the Dodgers, showing a small improvement from his previous four starts as he tries to secure a spot in the postseason.
O’Hoppe hit a 438-foot home run off Buehler in the second inning for his 18th homer, the most by an Angels catcher since 2008.
