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The Angels’ Andrew Velazquez, right, greets Shohei Ohtani after he slid home as they both scored on a single by Luis Rengifo during the sixth inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani held the Astros to one run in six innings while striking out 12. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier throws to the plate throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. Javier had 10 strikeouts in 3-2/3 innings. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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The Angels’ Jonathan Villar rounds second base and heads for third on a single by Max Stassi, not pictured, during the second inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The Angels’ Brandon Marsh watches the ball he bunted as he singles to score Jonathan Villar during the second inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The Angels’ Brandon Marsh watches the ball after bunting for a single to drive in Jonathan Villar during the second inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The Angels’ Jonathan Villar slides home safely ahead of the throw to Houston Astros catcher Martín Maldonado after Brandon Marsh, not pictured, singled on a bunt during the second inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The Angels’ Jonathan Villar scores on a bunt single by Brandon Marsh, not pictured, as Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado takes a late throw during the second inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Angels’ Jonathan Villar scores on a bunt single by Brandon Marsh, not pictured, as Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado takes a late throw during the second inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier throws to the plate throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. Javier had 10 strikeouts in 3-2/3 innings. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run triple during the second inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani runs to third base after hitting a two-run triple during the second inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The Angels’ Max Stassi, center, celebrates with teammate Taylor Ward, right, after scoring on a two-run triple by Shohei Ohtani during the second inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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The Angels’ Brandon Marsh scores on a triple by Shohei Ohtani, left, as Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado stands at the plate during the second inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Angels’ Max Stassi celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a two-run triple by Shohei Ohtani during the second inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani held the Astros to one run in six innings while striking out 12. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani held the Astros to one run in six innings while striking out 12. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani held the Astros to one run in six innings while striking out 12. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani signals teammate Andrew Velazquez to hold at first base after a passed ball during the fourth inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Angels center fielder Taylor Ward comes up short as he tries to catch a ball hit by the Houston Astros’ Martin Maldonado that went for a double during the fifth inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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Angels center fielder Taylor Ward comes up short as he tries to catch a ball hit by the Houston Astros’ Martin Maldonado that went for a double during the fifth inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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Angels center fielder Taylor Ward comes up short as he tries to catch a ball hit by the Houston Astros’ Martin Maldonado that went for a double during the fifth inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani held the Astros to one run in six innings while striking out 12. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani held the Astros to one run in six innings while striking out 12. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani held the Astros to one run in six innings while striking out 12. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the sixth inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani held the Astros to one run in six innings while striking out 12. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani pumps his fist after striking out the Houston Astros’ J.J. Matijevic for the final out of the top of the sixth inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani held the Astros to one run while striking out 12 in six innings of a 7-1 win. And that was only what he did on the mound. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani celebrates after striking out the Houston Astros’ J.J. Matijevic to end the top of the sixth inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Angels catcher Max Stassi touches gloves with starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani after the final out of the top of the sixth inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani hits a double during the sixth inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani scores on a single by Luis Rengifo, not pictured, as Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado stands by The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, left, scores on a single by Luis Rengifo as Andrew Velazquez, center, and Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado stand near home plate during the sixth inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, left, scores on a single by Luis Rengifo as Andrew Velazquez, center, and Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado stand near home plate during the sixth inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, left, scores on a single by Luis Rengifo as Andrew Velazquez, center, and Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado stand near home plate during the sixth inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Angels’ Andrew Velazquez, left, and Shohei Ohtani celebrate after they were driven in by Luis Rengifo during the sixth inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, left, celebrates with teammate Andrew Velazquez, right, after scoring on a single by Luis Rengifo, not pictured, as Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu walks back to the mound The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, left, scores on a single by Luis Rengifo as Andrew Velazquez, center, and Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado stand near home plate during the sixth inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Angels’ Andrew Velazquez, left, and Shohei Ohtani celebrate after they both scored on a single by Luis Rengifo during the sixth inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The Angels’ Jo Adell watches the ball after hitting a single to score Taylor Ward, not pictured, during the sixth inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The Angels’ Luis Rengifo gets high-fives in the dugout after scoring during the sixth inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena attempts to throw out the Angels’ Jonathan Villar at first base during the sixth inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. The throw was off target and Villar advanced to second on the play. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani reacts after stinging his hand while hitting a foul ball during the seventh inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Angels relief pitcher Elvis Peguero throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Angels relief pitcher Elvis Peguero throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Angels relief pitcher Elvis Peguero throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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Angels relief pitcher Elvis Peguero gestures after the Angels after the final out of their 7-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Angels relief pitcher Elvis Peguero, left, and catcher Max Stassi embrace after the final out of their 7-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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Kingston Branning, 6, of Oklahoma City waits to see his favorite player, Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani, before the team’s game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday evening at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
ANAHEIM ― When comparing Shohei Ohtani’s accomplishments to others in baseball history, the words “elite company” have become redundant. Elite company is increasingly the only kind of company he keeps.
Consider what Ohtani accomplished Wednesday in the Angels’ 7-1 victory over the Houston Astros.
• He became the second pitcher in Angels history to record 10 or more strikeouts in four consecutive pitching appearances. The first was Nolan Ryan, baseball’s all-time strikeout leader, who once struck out 10 batters in a franchise-record seven consecutive games.
• He became the sixth player to have at least 45 strikeouts and one or fewer earned run over a four-game span since earned runs became an official statistic in 1913. The others: Jacob deGrom, Randy Johnson, Clayton Kershaw, Pedro Martinez and Chris Sale.
• He became the fourth pitcher all-time to go 6-0 with 58 or more strikeouts and two or fewer earned runs in a six-game span, joining Johan Santana, R.A. Dickey and Kershaw.
• Ohtani also became the first Angels pitcher to start a game and hit a triple since Ryan on June 27, 1972.
Almost three months remain in the regular season, but many in Wednesday’s announced crowd of 27,803 at Angel Stadium were proclaiming Ohtani the American League MVP, one letter at a time. He went 2 for 4 with two RBIs from the leadoff spot as a hitter and allowed one run in six innings on the mound while striking out 12. The Angels (39-50), in a rare role reversal, never trailed the Astros (57-30).
“(Ohtani) understands how important his (pitching) day is. I’ve said the last three, four times: he puts the team on his back,” Manager Phil Nevin said. “Today was a big one for the guys in there. It’s really impressive. I almost made a joke there – ‘he gave up a run today’ – but it’s impressive. It really is.”
Ohtani has not lost a start since a June 2 game in New York against the Yankees. He’s 9-4 with a 2.38 ERA in 15 starts overall and is responsible for each of the Angels’ last three wins. They had been mired in a five-game losing streak that began after Ohtani’s last start.
“I feel like the last six games that I’ve pitched, the offense has been good,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “Good situations for me.”
Ohtani’s value to the Angels rests not only on his two-way prowess but his ability to turn an otherwise mediocre lineup into, well, elite company.
Since May 25, when the Angels’ record reached its high-water mark at 27-17, no team has scored fewer runs or struck out more. They struck out plenty Wednesday – 17 of their 24 outs came via strikeout, and the 32 strikeouts between both teams set an American League record for a nine-inning game.
The Angels atoned with a pair of big innings, winning in relatively easy fashion.
In the third inning, Jonathan Villar drew a one-out walk and went to third base on a well-executed hit and run by Max Stassi, who singled. Brandon Marsh dropped a bunt down the third-base line that stayed fair with a clockwise twist. Villar scored on the safety squeeze and Marsh was credited with a single.
With two outs, Ohtani belted a triple into the right-field corner, scoring Stassi and Marsh and giving himself a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Houston got its only run against Ohtani in the fourth inning, on an RBI single by Yuli Gurriel that dropped lazily in front of Jo Adell in right field. It was the first run Ohtani had allowed in 31⅔ innings.
The Angels scored four runs in the sixth inning against the Astros’ bullpen to put the game away.
Luis Rengifo (3 for 5, two RBIs) delivered the big hit, a bases-loaded single to drive in two runs. Villar and Jo Adell also hit RBI singles during the rally. Rengifo was batting third, behind Ohtani and Taylor Ward, for the second time this season.
Adell, playing his first major league game since June 10, finished 2 for 5 with a pair of line-drive singles. Andrew Velazquez contributed two of the Angels’ 12 hits.
Their only extra-base hit? Ohtani’s triple.
“We won the game with little things,” Rengifo said. “When we moved the runner, we had to do it.”
The little things – and a certain, 6-foot-4 All-Star who should be the center of attention again on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
“He’s unbelievable. He’s just nasty,” Rengifo said of Ohtani. “When he pitches … we feel like we won the game.”
101 from Ohtani.
pic.twitter.com/brwFOCwSCu
— MLB (@MLB) July 14, 2022
Ohtani is pitching tonight …
And he just hit a 2-run triple! pic.twitter.com/vERU8h8i6a
— MLB (@MLB) July 14, 2022
There is only ONE Shohei Ohtani.
Via: @BallySportWest pic.twitter.com/S28atskGTD
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) July 14, 2022
Hits, pitches and has time for the fans. pic.twitter.com/lDmyFQ1i5h
— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 14, 2022
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