Shohei Ohtani hit his season's fourth home run Tuesday as the two-way star helped the Los Angeles Angels beat the New York Yankees 5-2.
Batting second as the designated hitter, Ohtani belted a two-run shot over right-center field off Clarke Schmidt in the top of the first inning after Taylor Ward doubled to open the game at Yankee Stadium.
"The leadoff batter got on (the second) base, and I was hoping to at least advance him to third by giving my best swing," said Ohtani after going deep for the first time in seven games.
Ohtani also marked a memorable occasion with his homer arriving on the 100th anniversary of the opening of the original Yankee Stadium.
Anthony Rendon singled in a run, and Hunter Renfroe doubled in another off Schmidt for the Angels in the fourth before the Yankees scored two runs in the home half.
Ohtani stole a base for the first time this year in the fifth after reaching on catcher Kyle Higashioka's interference. Ohtani advanced to third on the catcher's throwing error and scored the game's final run on a sacrifice fly.
Seiya Suzuki reached base five times, going 2-for-2 with three walks, and scored a run as the Chicago Cubs won their third straight game, 4-0, over the Oakland Athletics.
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