The Boston Red Sox executed a patient plan against Los Angeles Angels phenom Shohei Ohtani, scoring three runs off of the starter on four hits and two walks. The 23-year-old Ohtani didn't come out for the third inning after throwing 66 pitches, getting relieved by Luke Bard.
The team later announced Ohtani was removed due to a developing blister on his pitching hand.
Birthmark? Blister? Other? pic.twitter.com/f2UtkdDcyK
— Jim Cunningham (@DSEmpire_Jim) April 18, 2018
Ohtani, who has looked nearly unhittable up until Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, carried a perfect game into the seventh inning during his last start against the Oakland Athletics.
Against Boston though, Mookie Betts greeted the Angels right-hander with a leadoff home run on a seven-pitch at-bat.
Oh, you can kiss that one goodbye! pic.twitter.com/ij2yDw38ZR
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 18, 2018
Of Ohtani's 66 total offerings, 34 were called balls. The poor outing lifted Ohtani's career ERA from 2.08 to 3.60.
It didn't get any better from the pen though, as Bard allowed a five runs on a trio of dingers in the subsequent frame.
