Los Angeles Angels Star shohei ohtani continues to set records as a massive payday approaches.
Ohtani surpassed Babe Ruth’s career strikeout total on Tuesday and now holds the record for the most pitching strikeouts by a player who has also hit at least 100 home runs, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 9, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
playing in his sixth Major League SeasonOhtani has hit 134 home runs and struck out 507 batters.
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Ruth had 501 strikeouts as a pitcher and hit 714 home runs.
Despite Ohtani breaking another record, the Angels fell to the Houston Astros on Tuesday night, sending Ohtani to his first loss of the season.
The two-way star allowed three earned runs and six hits in seven innings as the Astros defeated the Angels 3-1.
Houston starting pitcher Framber Valdez got the better of Ohtani, allowing just one earned run and three hits in eight innings.
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Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez (59) throws a pitch during a MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on May 9, 2023 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, California. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
«(Valdez) is a great pitcher,» Ohtani said through his interpreter. «I knew it was going to be a low-scoring game, and I felt like he had some at-bats that could help us score some runs, but obviously I missed that. But he’s a good pitcher.»
All three runs allowed by Ohtani came in the fifth inning, including a two-run home run from Houston receiver Martin Maldonado.
«He’s really good», Angels manager Phil Nevin said of Ohtani: «But he’s human, and I think he threw a bad pitch at a guy who seems to do a lot of damage against us.»
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 9, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Ohtani is hitting .294 with seven home runs and 22 RBIs at the plate while sporting a 2.74 ERA on the mound.
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The Japanese star is preparing to become a free agent after the season and is expected to receive the most lucrative contract in baseball history.
Associated Press contributed to this report