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The Angels celebrate as Jared Walsh, center, crosses home plate after hitting a walk-off, three-run home run in the ninth inning of Sunday night’s 7-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) throws a ball to fans as he warms up before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels is congratulated by catcher Max Stassi #33 in the first inning during the game against the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 4, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 4, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run against pitcher Dylan Cease of the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of Sunday’s game at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 04: Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels rounds third base after hitting a one run home run against pitcher Dylan Cease #84 of the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of the game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 4, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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A family takes a photo on Easter Sunday before a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 04: Starting pitcher Dylan Cease #84 of the Chicago White Sox reacts after loading up the bases against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 4, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 04: Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of the game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 4, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts after the last out of the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 4, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) and catcher Max Stassi (33) bumps fists as they walk to the dugout after the top of the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Los Angeles Angels’ Max Stassi (33) is safe at first ahead of a throw to Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) during the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Chicago White Sox’s Billy Hamilton, bottom, steals second base ahead of a throw to Los Angeles Angels second baseman David Fletcher (22) during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 04: Billy Hamilton of the Chicago White Sox steals second base with David Fletcher #22 of the Los Angeles Angels looking on during the third inning of the game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 4, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Billy Hamilton of the Chicago White Sox teas the back of pitcher Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels after the last out of the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 4, 2021 in Anaheim, California. Hamilton stole a base against Ohtani during the third inning. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout (27) flies out to center field during the third inning against the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Chicago White Sox shortstop Leury Garcia (28) fields a ground ball hit by Los Angeles Angels’ Anthony Rendon during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Los Angeles Angels shortstop Jose Iglesias (4) throws to first base during a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Saturday, April 3, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Angels right fielder Juan Lagares (19) dives to catch a line drive hit by Chicago White Sox’s Billy Hamilton during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Chicago White Sox’s Leury Garcia (28) makes it safely to first ahead of a throw to Los Angeles Angels first baseman Jared Walsh (20) during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 04: Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts after loading up the bases during the fifth inning of the game against Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 4, 2021 in Anaheim, California. Ohtani was injured on the play and had to leave the game. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The Chicago White Sox’s Leury Garcia (28) high-fives designated hitter Yermin Mercedes (73) after scoring on a wild pitch by Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 04: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox with pitcher Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels at home plate during the fifth inning of the game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 4, 2021 in Anaheim, California. Ohtani was injured on the play and had to leave the game. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) and Chicago White Sox’s Jose Abreu (79) collide at home plate, after a passed ball during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. Abreu and Adam Eaton both scored. Ohtani left the game. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Chicago White Sox’s Jose Abreu (79) checks on Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani, right, after they collided at home plate, following a passed ball during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. Abreu and Adam Eaton both scored. Ohtani left the game. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 04: Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels is injured after colliding with Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox at home plate as he was scoring a run after a wild pitch during the fifth inning of the game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 4, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Angels fans pose for a photo with a picture of starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani walks off the field during the fifth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. Ohtani and White Sox’s Jose Abreu collided at the plate while Ohtani was covering after a passed ball. Abreu and Adam Eaton both scored. Ohtani left the game. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Two fans reach for a ball thrown to them by Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani before of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Los Angeles Angels’ Jared Walsh (20) high-fives Jose Iglesias (4) after Walsh hit a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Los Angeles Angels’ Justin Upton, right, is hit by a pitch from Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Aaron Bummer during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Chicago White Sox’s Nick Madrigal is hit by a pitch from Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias during the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) is short of catching a throw to third from relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. Chicago White Sox’ Nick Madrigal scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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White Sox outfielder Luis Robert leaps at the left field wall but is unable to catch the game-winning three-run home run by the Angels’ Jared Walsh in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Angels’ Jared Walsh (20) throws down his batting helmet as he runs to home plate after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. Dexter Fowler and Anthony Rendon also scored. The Angels won 7-4. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Los Angeles Angels’ Jared Walsh (20) celebrates as he runs to home plate after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. Dexter Fowler and Anthony Rendon also scored. The Angels won 7-4. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Fans waits to enter Angel Stadium of Anaheim for the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox baseball game on April 4, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Fans waits to enter Angel Stadium of Anaheim for the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox baseball game on April 4, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 04: Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of the game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 4, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM — After dealing with injuries that prevented him from performing at his peak as a two-way player for nearly three years, Shohei Ohtani had been waiting to reacquaint the baseball world with the scope of his talents.
He took care of that in the first 15 minutes of the Angels’ 7-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday night, which ended on Jared Walsh’s walk-off homer, his second of the night.
Ohtani threw the one of his nine pitches at 100 mph in the top of the first, and in the bottom of the inning he blasted a 451-foot homer, the ball leaving his bat at 115 mph.
“What he did tonight was pretty special and you’re going to see a lot more of that,” Manager Joe Maddon said. “It was fun to watch. I think everybody was entertained. That’s what he signed up to do and you’re going to see more of it.”
It was the jaw-dropping opening to a nationally televised game that certainly helped answer questions about whether Ohtani could really pull off what no player — other than him — had done in 100 years.
Babe Ruth was the last player to be successful as a hitter and a pitcher before Ohtani did it for the first half of 2018, but injuries had kept him from doing it since. Even in 2018, though, he never hit and pitched in the same game, as he did on Sunday.
“I’m glad I got this game under my belt,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “It will lead to more confidence… It’s just one game. I’m going to take it one game at a time. I’m not out to prove the doubters wrong or anything.”
What’s more, the Angels won the game, taking three of four in the season-opening series from one of the best teams in the league.
The Angels, who took a one-run lead on a Walsh homer in the fifth, were two outs from winning it in the top of the ninth. Closer Raisel Iglesias stabbed a comebacker and made an errant throw to third, allowing the tying run to score.
They won it anyway. Dexter Fowler led off the bottom of the ninth with a single and went to second on an Anthony Rendon walk.
Walsh then launched a ball over the fence in left-center.
It was the dramatic finish to a night that that ended for Ohtani in a wild — and frightening — sequence back in the fifth.
With a 3-1 lead, two on and two out, Ohtani threw a two-strike pitch that Yoan Moncada swung through, but catcher Max Stassi had the ball tick off his glove and roll about 25 feet from the plate. Stassi’s rushed throw to first skipped past Walsh as José Abreu came steaming around to try to score the second White Sox run on the play.
Ohtani was covering the plate and leapt just as Abreu — who is 6-3, 235 pounds — slid into him. Ohtani got up slowly, but was able to walk off the field on his own power, ending his night.
“I feel fine as of now,” Ohtani said. “When the collision happened the impact was kind of big. I couldn’t get up right away, but after time I felt much better… It wasn’t as bad as it looked.”
Ohtani might not have even been in the game for that collision if Maddon had not shown confidence in him by leaving him out to try to escape the jam even after he’d given up a run on on a hit and two walks.
“That’s how a guy becomes a guy,” Maddon said. “You gotta give him that opportunity, especially this time of year. If he does that now and is able to fight through it, he will know what he’s capable of. If you are constantly taking guys out of troubling situations they are never going to find out.”
Ohtani said he was “really grateful for Joe letting me face that extra hitter.”
Those two unearned runs did little to detract from what Ohtani had done on the mound, though.
He threw 92 pitches, consistently hitting 97-99 mph with his fastball and peaking at 101. He hadn’t allowed a run through four innings, and he ended the fourth with a three-pitch strikeout of Luis Robert to strand two runners.
Ohtani then pumped his fist and screamed at the most exciting of his seven strikeouts.
Ohtani had a nice night at the plate too, which was encouraging after he’d gone 2 for 13 with six strikeouts in the first three games.
His first-inning homer was a monster shot on a first-pitch 97-mph fastball from Dylan Cease. In the second inning, Ohtani smoked a 109 mph laser into center field, but it was caught. He grounded out in his final at-bat.
Ohtani said he felt “almost perfect” at the plate, and Maddon said that probably carried over to the way he pitched.
“It’s all interconnected,” Maddon said. “Everything we do is interconnected. He is a very introspective bright young man who loves to play baseball. Let’s stay out of his way. Let him play baseball and see what happens.”
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