Offense can’t back up Shohei Ohtani, Angels lose again

The offense continues to struggle in Oakland. A night after recording only two hits, the Angels score only one run as they fall to the Athletics, 3-1.

After being pushed back a day, Ohtani made the start for the Angels. He wasn’t in the starting lineup, as the Angels only wanted him to pitch on Friday. Ohtani gave the Angels six innings, allowing three runs and striking out five.

Ohtani took the mound in the seventh with the game tied at one a piece. After back-to-back walks and a single, Ohtani’s night was done. The go-ahead run came in to score and there were two runners on. Steve Cishek replaced Ohtani, but couldn’t limit the damage. He allowed a single to bring in the third run of the game for Oakland.

The Angels went 0-for-6 over the last two innings as they dropped their second straight game.

The lone offense from the Angels didn’t come until the seventh inning. Jose Rojas singled with one out. After advancing to second on a sacrifice, he came in to score on a David Fletcher single, putting LA up 1-0. As mentioned, Oakland would take the lead in the bottom of the inning.

For the game the offense tallied only six hits. They were 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left six runners on base.

The Angels are now seven games under .500 and find themselves eight games back of first place.

Game notables

• There were almost some fireworks, as Ohtani nearly hit Mark Canha with a pitch. For some reason, Canha took exception to the pitch and started jawing at Ohtani.