(Los Angeles) Shohei Ohtani hit a grand slam on Friday in the Los Angeles Angels’ 9-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Japanese hit his 43rd homer of the season in the second inning to give the local favorites a four-point lead. He is first in major league baseball, tied with Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson.
That lead was completely erased in the fifth and the two teams traded a point in the seventh. Singles from Luke Raley, Josh Lowe and Rene Pinto, however, put the Rays ahead by three runs in the top of the 10th and the Angels were unable to reply.
The Angels had a triple play in the top of the ninth.
With runners on first and third, Harold Ramirez hit a ground ball to Luis Rengifo. The shortstop shortstopped Brandon Drury, at second, to pull out Randy Arozarena. Drury then threw the ball to Nolan Schanuel at first.
Installed at third, Yandy Diaz waited for Drury to throw at first to begin his run towards home plate. A perfect shot from Schanuel to receiver Logan O’Hoppe thwarted his plans, however.
It was the first triple play in 26 years for the Angels, the last one coming on July 5, 1997 against the Seattle Mariners. The California club has seven in its history.
Both starters had short outings. Erasmo Ramirez allowed five runs, as many hits and a walk in just three and a third innings of work for the. Tyler Anderson allowed five runs, six hits from the safe and two free passes in four innings.
The win went to Pete Fairbanks (1-4), while Carlos Estevez (5-4) suffered the loss.