Otani overlooked and struck out with a front door slider of about 141 km.
■ Rangers 6-5 Angels (19th Japan time, Arlington)
Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani participated in the Rangers match at the enemy’s territory on the 18th (19th Japan time) with “No. 3 pitcher and DH” at the same time. He won or lost 6 innings with 6 hits, 7 strikeouts, 2 walks and 2 runs. What attracted attention was the sharp slider. A surprised voice was raised at the front door, which missed the former giant helper Adolis Garcia and struck out.
Four Seams are the fastest in their careers this season with the fastest 100.8 miles (about 162.2 km) and an average ball speed of 98.6 miles (about 158.7 km). Otani pushed with force on that day, but the slider was also outstanding. The 87.5 miles (about 140.8 km) thrown from the count 1-2 against Garcia at the beginning of the 6th inning cut from the internal angle ball zone and made a strike. Garcia is pulling back and missing.
Pitching analyst Rob Friedman, nicknamed “Pitching Ninja,” posted on his Twitter account “Shohei Ohtani’s best 87-mile front door slider.” Fans commented, “Kirekkire,” “Egg,” and “If the angle is so low, it’s Scherzer.”