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Friday, March 31, 2023

Shohei Ohtani uses PitchCom in opener, K’s 10 in Angels loss

Shohei Ohtani began the 2023 season with a twist: calling his own pitches through a PitchCom device hidden underneath his jersey near his left shoulder. The new look, with Ohtani appearing to jab at his armpit before each pitch, was the only departure from his usual dominance.

He threw six shutout innings against the Athletics in Oakland on Thursday night, striking out 10 and allowing just two hits. He was occasionally wild, walking three and throwing just 55 strikes in 93 pitches. And, in a familiar refrain, he left with a 1-0 lead in a game the Los Angeles Angels would go on to lose 2-1 after Oakland scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth off reliever Aaron Loup, who recorded just one out and called it “probably the most embarrassing outing of my career.”....

(There’s always a statistic to tell the story of Ohtani and the Angels: According to MLB’s Sarah Langs, there have been 25 previous times an Opening Day pitcher struck out 10 and allowed 0 runs. In those games, the pitchers’ teams were 25-0.)

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: March 31, 2023 at 09:23 AM | 18 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
  Tags: angels, shohei ohtani

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   1. Harmon "Thread Killer" Microbrew Posted: March 31, 2023 at 11:23 AM (#6122020)
That no-look catch by Hunter Renfroe was one of the best plays in recent memory. Pretty amazing.

https://www.mlb.com/news/hunter-renfroe-makes-no-look-catch

   2. You can keep your massive haul Posted: March 31, 2023 at 12:20 PM (#6122023)
It's been a running joke for years how the main news is always about how the big star did in their loss to the A's.
   3. Never Give an Inge (Dave) Posted: March 31, 2023 at 01:35 PM (#6122027)

every time I see an Angels highlight it's like "Mike Trout hit three homes runs and raised his average to .528 while Shohei Ohtani did something that hasn't been done since 'Tungsten Arm' O'Doyle of the 1921 Akron Groomsmen, as the Tigers defeated the Angels 8-3"

Today I learned that if you search for "Tungsten Arm O'Doyle" on Baseball-Reference, it takes you to Ohtani's page. Outstanding.

That no-look catch by Hunter Renfroe was one of the best plays in recent memory. Pretty amazing.

That is a crazy catch by Renfroe. I mean, he made it much harder than it had to be, but still really entertaining and difficult.
   4. SoSH U at work Posted: March 31, 2023 at 01:43 PM (#6122030)
That is a crazy catch by Renfroe. I mean, he made it much harder than it had to be, but still really entertaining and difficult.


It was an amazing finish after a terrible route.
   5. Walt Davis Posted: March 31, 2023 at 03:12 PM (#6122039)
So Ohtani is adding pitching coach to the resume?
   6. Adam Starblind Posted: March 31, 2023 at 03:36 PM (#6122041)
Rendon took a swing at a fan. Not a good look.

Link to Twitter
   7. My name is Votto, and I love to get Moppo Posted: March 31, 2023 at 04:56 PM (#6122059)
That is a crazy catch by Renfroe. I mean, he made it much harder than it had to be, but still really entertaining and difficult.


yeah, I'm thinking if you're an outfielder, you shouldn't be trying "no-look" catches very often.
   8. Hombre Brotani Posted: March 31, 2023 at 07:51 PM (#6122084)
(There’s always a statistic to tell the story of Ohtani and the Angels: According to MLB’s Sarah Langs, there have been 25 previous times an Opening Day pitcher struck out 10 and allowed 0 runs. In those games, the pitchers’ teams were 25-0.)
The season is one day old, and I'm already worn out.
   9. kirstie819 Posted: April 03, 2023 at 12:30 PM (#6122396)
If you're looking for a way to keep squirrels away from your hummingbird feeder, then you might want to consider investing in a squirrel-proof hummingbird feeder. https://hummingbirdfeedercenter.com/best-heated-hummingbird-feeder/
   10. What did Billy Ripken have against ElRoy Face? Posted: April 03, 2023 at 12:35 PM (#6122397)
Wow! I was *just* wondering about how to keep squirrels away from my hummingbird feeder. Thanks, Kirstie!
   11. A triple short of the cycle Posted: April 03, 2023 at 12:44 PM (#6122398)
One of the commercials on A's Cast is for a mattress company, forget which one, their marketing tag line is, "Sleep on the same mattress that Rickey Henderson sleeps on." When I hear this I say, "Good morning Rickey!". /A's fan finds joy in the small things
   12. What did Billy Ripken have against ElRoy Face? Posted: April 03, 2023 at 12:53 PM (#6122399)
I say, "Good morning Rickey!".
So does Rickey.
   13. The Gary DiSarcina Fan Club (JAHV) Posted: April 03, 2023 at 01:19 PM (#6122406)
That no-look catch by Hunter Renfroe was one of the best plays in recent memory. Pretty amazing.

https://www.mlb.com/news/hunter-renfroe-makes-no-look-catch


That catch was both incredible and embarrassing at the same time. It's amazing to watch, but a major league outfielder should really take better routes to fly balls.
   14. Itchy Row Posted: April 03, 2023 at 01:25 PM (#6122409)
If you search for "squirrel-proof hummingbird feeder" on bb-ref, it doesn't take you to Ohtani's page. Not yet, at least.
   15. Srul Itza Posted: April 03, 2023 at 01:52 PM (#6122419)
If you're looking for a way to keep squirrels away from your hummingbird feede


move to Hawaii. No squirrels.

Also, no hummingbirds.

So I guess it's a wash.
   16. Srul Itza Posted: April 03, 2023 at 01:52 PM (#6122420)
Double Post

Must be the time difference
   17. Booey Posted: April 03, 2023 at 02:05 PM (#6122423)
#15 - I've seen "Hawaiian squirrels" on Maui... ;-)

(aka Asian mongooses)
   18. Srul Itza Posted: April 03, 2023 at 10:04 PM (#6122510)
Difference is, mongooses are carnivores.

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