Shohei Ohtani gave up five runs over six innings and was tagged with his second loss Friday as the Los Angeles Angels were defeated 6-2 by the Houston Astros.
Yordan Alvarez blasted a two-run homer in the first inning off Ohtani (5-2), who regrouped in the next two innings but struggled again after the fourth at Minute Maid Park. He allowed nine hits and a walk while striking out six.
Ohtani, who went 0-for-4 at the plate batting leadoff for the first time this year, escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fourth but allowed a walk and single with two outs in the fifth before Alex Bregman singled in the Astros' third run.
Ohtani again let the Astros reach with two outs in the sixth and Corey Julks went deep for two more runs and a 5-0 lead.
"I couldn't finish things off (after going ahead in the count)," said Ohtani, who wasn't happy with his slider or his batting.
"I left them hanging many times when they were waiting for that pitch...I think we had more chance of winning if I could get a hit."
Shintaro Fujinami, meanwhile, allowed two runs in the first inning and was also the losing pitcher on the day as the Oakland Athletics lost 4-0 to the Miami Marlins.
Jesus Sanchez slugged a two-run shot off starter Fujinami (2-6), who came off the mound after the first having allowed two hits and struck out one at loanDepot park.
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