Keenan Middleton (Chicago White Sox) was nearly hit in the head by a bullet pitch from Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels). Although the hit was unintentional, Ohtani showed his “world-class character” by apologizing to the pitcher while running to first base.
Ohtani started at second base and went 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs in the third game of a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, USA, on April 29.
The dizzying moment came in his fourth at-bat. With the bases loaded and the Angels trailing 4-9 in the eighth inning. Ohtani faced Middleton of the White Sox and worked a 1B-2S unfavorable count, but after picking off one pitch, he lined a 95.9-mph (154-kilometer) four-seam fastball five pitches up and into center field.
The impact was so precise that the ball reached 102.2 mph (164 km/h). The pitch was headed right for Middleton’s head and could have been a disaster. Luckily, Middleton’s reflexes were amazing and the ball rolled across the infield and into center field.
That’s when Ohtani’s world-class humanity kicked in. He raised his left hand to apologize to Middleton even as he ran to first base, and he repeated his apology with a look of concern once he reached first base. The pitcher wasn’t hit by a pitch, nor did the batter intentionally aim for the pitcher’s head, but Ohtani had the class to take care of the other pitcher before basking in the glory of his hit.
The local broadcasters covering the Angels were mesmerized by Ohtani’s humanity. As Jason Venetti, a broadcaster for NBC Sports Chicago in Illinois, USA, said, “Hitters have to be careful with Ohtani’s pitches. I wonder if he saw it and was okay,” and commentator Gordon Beckham said, “That’s his habit. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” he said. 메이저놀이터
Ohtani, meanwhile, hit his fifth triple of the major league season in the first inning with the bases loaded, trailing 0-2. According to local reports, Ohtani became the first major leaguer to hit 25 home runs, five triples and 10 stolen bases before July. Ohtani now has 28 home runs, five triples, and 11 stolen bases this season. Despite Ohtani’s three-hit outing, the Angels were outscored 5-11 by the White Sox. 토토사이트추천