Pirates take Shohei Ohtani Deep Four Times But Fall in Anaheim

Recap

After a quiet first three innings at the big A, the Pirates and the Angels exploded for 12 runs over the course of the fourth and fifth inning as the Angels defeated the Pirates 8-5 Friday night. 

Johan Oviedo (3-11) looked to put together a repeat performance of his start last week after striking out a career-high 10 against San Fransisco. But on Friday in Anaheim Oviedo worked just four innings allowing five runs on three hits including two home runs in the loss. 

The Pirates right-handed starter was near perfect in his first three innings of work just allowing a free pass to Shohei Ohtani in his first inning of work. 

But in the bottom of the fourth, after a leadoff walk to Ohtani, Mickey Moniak doubled to score the Angels DH and pitcher from first and things started to unravel for Oviedo. 

Following the Moniak RBI double, Mike Moustakas gave Los Angeles the lead with a three-run home run followed by Trey Cabbage’s first career home run. 

After the Pirates cut the lead down to one after a Jack Suwinski two-run home run, the Angels bats came to life again as Zach Neto and Taylor Ward left the yard in the bottom half of the fifth. 

The Pirates would get one back however as Henry Davis hit his second home run off of Ohtani in the top of the sixth inning but the Pirates offense sputtered the rest of the way. 

Key Moment 

The Pirates had a two-run lead going into the bottom of the fourth inning after Ji-Man Choi and Henry Davis hit back-to-back home runs. But Oviedo imploded in the bottom half of the inning as the leadoff walk to Ohtani and the double by Moniak got Los Angeles rolling as they put up a five spot in the inning. 

Star of the Game

Henry Davis put together arguably one of his best lines of his young career as he went 3-3 including two home runs against Shohei Ohtani on Friday night. His three hits and two RBIs tie a career-high in those categories respectively.  

Stat of Interest

In the sixth inning, Henry Davis hit his second home run of the evening off of Shohei Ohtani which marked the first time that a major league player has hit multiple home runs off of Ohtani in his career. 

Note Worthy

• With back-to-back home runs from Ji-Man Choi and Henry Davis, the Pirates have gone have hit back-to-back home runs eight times this season. 
• Pirates rookie third baseman Jared Triolo extended his hitting streak to 13 games with his single against Shohei Ohtani in the fourth inning. 
• Tonight marked the first time that Shohei Ohtani has given up three home runs in a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim
• Friday marked the first time that Henry Davis has had a multi-homer game in his career. Davis now becomes the youngest Pirates player to hit two or more home runs in a single game since Rodolfo Castro back in 2021. 
• With Jack Suwinski’s home run in the top of the fifth inning, Suwinski has now set a new career high in home runs with 20. He is now just the 14th player in Pirates history to record 20 or more home runs in his age-24 season or younger. 

Up Next

The Pirates are back in action tomorrow night as they take on the Angels in the second game of the three-game set as first pitch is set for 9:07 p.m. Osvaldo Bido (1-1 5.00 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Pirates, while he will face off against Reid Detmers (2-6 4.42 ERA) Saturday evening.