Shota Imanaga made another stellar start as he helped the Chicago Cubs blow out the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-1 in a rain-delayed game Sunday.
The Japanese lefty struck out three and allowed only two hits over four scoreless innings before the skies opened in the home half of the fourth at Wrigley Field, interrupting play for nearly three hours.
Imanaga struck out Shohei Ohtani swinging in the top of the first as the two World Baseball Classic-winning Samurai Japan teammates faced off for the first time in the United States.
"He gave it a powerful swing and was probably close to connecting for a home run," Imanaga said.
"If I throw it in a good spot and he still beats me, there's nothing I can do about it. I was just hoping to pitch to the best of my ability."
While the battle between the pair had been anticipated by Japanese fans watching in the early hours of the morning, Imanaga suggested he did not view it with extra significance.
"I wouldn't say I enjoyed it. Stopping him was part of the process needed for the team to win," he said. "I'm glad we were able to keep him in check and get the win."
The 30-year-old Imanaga's second Major League Baseball outing followed an outstanding debut in which he flirted with a no-hitter in a 5-0 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday.
Through his first two MLB starts, the former DeNA BayStars standout has fanned 12, walked none and given up only four hits in 10 scoreless innings.
The Cubs took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first on Michael Busch's three-RBI double. Seiya Suzuki made it 4-0 the next inning with a sacrifice fly.
Ohtani finished 2-for-4, hitting a triple in the sixth and driving in the Dodgers' only run with a double in the eighth.
Although the rain delay stopped him going for his second win, Imanaga said he was happy to contribute to the Cubs overcoming the Dodgers' high-powered lineup.
"I was pitching to win, so I'm glad the team got the win in the end," Imanaga said.
"They (the Dodgers) can hit home runs and are also fast between the bases. But if you focus on that, their lineup can also generate walks. It was tough, but I was able to do my best and get a good result."
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