Shohei Ohtani did something Thursday that hasn’t been done since the legendary Babe Ruth.
He went to Fenway Park where the Babe began his career in Boston to become the first starting pitcher to bat in the top four of the lineup since Babe Ruth did it in 1919.
Ohtani turned in an outstanding performance, striking out 11 batters in seven shutout innings in an 8-0 victory for the Angels over the Red Sox, reported CBS Sports.
He also drove in his 13th run of the year going two for four from the number 3 spot in the batting order.
“He’s the best player in the league,” Red Sox starter Rich Hill told reporters according to Sports Illustrated. “I think that’s one thing everybody can pretty much unanimously agree upon. It’s pretty special to see somebody like that come along. I think everybody should be really appreciating what we’re seeing, because it’s something we haven’t seen in 100 years and we may never see it again for another 100 years.”
Angel manager John Maddon emphasized how special Thursday was.
“I hope you don’t start taking that for granted. Like it’s old hat,” Maddon told the media. “It’s just so unusual. It’s otherworldly, on this level of this game.”
Ohtani is just the second pitcher to get a hit at Fenway since the designated hitter rule began in 1973.
Hitters are feeling almost a sense of hopelessness when facing the pitcher these days. Ohtani’s teammates are amazed at what they’re seeing.
“He’s got 100 in his back pocket, it seems like, anytime he needs it,” he said. “It blows me away. I’m playing behind him, and I’m like, I want no part of that splitter, that curveball, that 100-mile-an-hour fastball. It’s unbelievable,” said first baseman Jared Walsh.
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