Ohtani homers again, Angels beat White Sox

[September 08, 2018]  Felix Pena threw seven strong innings, and Shohei Ohtani homered to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 5-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night in Chicago.

Pena had failed to last more than six innings in his first 12 starts of the season before going seven innings last Saturday against Houston. Friday, Pena (2-4) went seven innings again, giving up two runs on seven hits while striking out six and walking none.

It was just his second victory of the season, the last one coming June 29 against Baltimore.

The Angels got nine hits in support of Pena, including a three-run homer by Ohtani and a solo homer by Andrelton Simmons. For Ohtani, it was his fourth home run in his last three games, increasing his season total to 19, a major league record for Japanese-born rookies.

Before the game, Ohtani told reporters he will play out the season as a hitter and decide whether or not to have Tommy John surgery once the season is over. An MRI exam earlier this week showed Ohtani has new damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

The White Sox took a 1-0 lead when Avisail Garcia led off the second inning with a home run off Pena, Garcia's 16th homer of the season. But the Angels responded with four runs in the top of the third against White Sox starter Carlos Rodon (6-5).

Kole Calhoun and David Fletcher began the inning with consecutive walks, and Mike Trout was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Justin Upton. Upton drove home Calhoun with a sacrifice fly, and Ohtani followed with his three-run homer to put the Angels up for good.

Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with teammates after hitting a three run home run in the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

In the fourth, Garcia was hit by a pitch, and Daniel Palka singled with one out. One out later, Omar Narvaez's single drove home Garcia to cut the Angels' lead to 4-2.

The Angels increased their lead in the seventh inning to 5-2 on Simmons' 11th homer of the season. Ty Buttrey pitched the ninth for Los Angeles for his first career major league save.

--Field Level Media

[© 2018 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2018 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.