Shohei Ohtani delivered another sparkling performance on the mound and at the plate Wednesday, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 5-2 win over the Miami Marlins.
The reigning American League MVP, who turned 28 on Tuesday, gave himself and his teammates cause for late celebration as his two-way mastery snapped a four-game skid by the 38-45 Halos.
Ohtani (8-4) struck out 10 batters over seven innings of one-run, two-hit ball and drove in the go-ahead run in a 1-for-4 night as the designated hitter.
He did not allow an earned run, but saw his scoreless streak ended at 21-2/3 innings when Miami leadoff batter Jon Berti scored after reaching on a throwing error in the first at LoanDepot Park.
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Shutting down the Marlins with a stunning array of pitches, including fastballs in excess of 100 miles (161 kilometers) per hour, Ohtani retired 15 straight batters between the second and seventh innings.
Ohtani, who went 0-for-3 in Tuesday's series-opening 2-1 loss to the Marlins, said he was relieved to get the win after struggling at the plate.
"I felt sorry about not being able to help the team win with my batting lately," he said. "Getting the win as a pitcher was big."
After Miami starter Trevor Rogers (4-7) tied the game by hitting Mike Trout with the bases loaded in the fifth, Ohtani steered a groundball single through to left, driving in two runs and giving the Halos a 3-1 lead.
"That hit landed in a good spot," Ohtani said.
Ohtani stole second before scoring on Luis Rengifo's single to make it 5-1 in the seventh, finishing with one run scored, two RBIs and a walk. He issued three walks over his 100-pitch start and lowered his ERA to 2.44.
The right-hander has five wins from his last five starts, marking the longest streak of his major league career.
