In the last few years in MLB, is there anything more mundane and normalized than a BIG performance by Shohei Ohtani combined with a Los Angeles Angels loss?
And the opening day of the 2023 season was no exception. Indeed, the great Japanese gunner struck out ten batters, allowing only two meager hits (and no runs, of course) in six innings of work.
However, the Oakland A’s escaped with the victory by a score of 2-1. Yes yes, the Athletics, the team that should approach certain records of mediocrity…
It was the first time a pitcher had lost an opener while striking out ten batters on three strikes and allowing no earned runs. Surely the Angels wanted to make history in their own way, since they can’t make it any other way.
The bullpen then collapsed, led by the always enigmatic Aaron Loup who gave up two runs on two sure in one third of an inning of work. A masterpiece.
If the relievers failed miserably in their mission, the same cannot be said of outfielder Hunter Renfroe, who may have made the catch of the year, and this, in the very first meeting. The latter managed to catch the ball without looking, thus calculating his race perfectly (or recovering his bad start). A jewel!
Luckily some of Ohtani’s teammates care a little about trying to win ball matches, because the Japanese pitcher must be eager to get out of the way as soon as possible.
It is true that it is only a meeting, but let’s say that the trend does not seem to be reversed and that the Angels will remain the Angels until a miracle happens. Kind of like the New York Mets.
