Thirteen strikeouts … in five innings for Shohei Ohtani

UPDATE DAY

Shohei Ohtani put on quite the performance on the mound for the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night, reaching 500 strikeouts by fanning 13 St. Louis Cardinals opponents in just five innings.

The Japanese joined the great Babe Ruth in a very select club by now totaling 500 withdrawals and 100 homers. The “Bambino” retired 501 batters during his career, but mostly distinguished himself at the plate with 714 long balls.

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Breaking down 13 batters in the game, Ohtani tied a personal best. He did, however, allow four runs due to two home runs, he was taken out of the game before the sixth rotation in favor of Chase Silseth.

“I gave those home runs, it hurts. I would have liked to go to six or seven innings. Beyond the strikeouts, I'm disappointed that I couldn't go further in the game,” he told media through an interpreter.

The Angels signed a 6-4 win thanks to long balls from Mike Trout, Jake Lamb and Brandon Drury. Ohtani also drove in a run on a paying single in the third inning.