ANAHEIM -- Two-way sensation
\"Every day for the rest of the season, he's probably going to do something that really stands out,” Angels manager Joe Maddon said. “It's impressive. Because he's pitching, too. My God.\"
Ohtani became the first American League player with a 40-20 season since Curtis Granderson in 2011, and he reached the mark before September. The only other American Leaguers to reach 40 homers and 20 stolen bases prior to September were Alex Rodriguez in 2007 and Ken Griffey Jr. in 1999.\n\nThe last Major League 40-20 seasons were by Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. and Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich in 2019. Ohtani is just the fifth foreign-born player to reach those marks, joining Alfonso Soriano (2006), Jose Canseco (1988, ’91 and ’98), Larry Walker (’97) and Acuña.\n\n“Shohei breaks another record every day,” said first baseman
Ohtani drew a one-out walk against reliever Austin Adams and then stole second on an 0-1 fastball above the zone with Phil Gosselin at the plate. Gosselin was then hit by a pitch, and
Ohtani received a scare in the first inning, when he was hit on his right hand by a 93 mph fastball from lefty Ryan Weathers. Ohtani was ruled to have made a swing on the pitch and was called out on strikes. He was visited by Maddon and assistant trainer Brian Reinker after being hit on his throwing hand but remained in the game. He underwent an X-ray exam during the game, and it came back clean.\n\n\"I didn't know what to expect,” Maddon said. “I was trying to decipher what happened. It's another one of those plays. The third-base umpire, Jerry Meals, called it a swing. I could've had it \\[reviewed\\] if it was a foul ball. And then I had to try to figure out how he was feeling. So all of these different elements were going on. But the way he was moving his wrist around was good.\"
• Greatest season ever? Shohei has a case
Ohtani’s next start on the mound is scheduled for Tuesday at home against the Yankees. Maddon said he’s confident Ohtani will be able to make that start but that they’ll continue to monitor him in the coming days.\n\n\"As far as I know, he's OK,” Maddon said. “But he may get sore tomorrow. I'm not sure. But he handled the rest of the game well, so we'll find out. We'll find out more on Monday. I don't know the answer yet. I anticipate good, but I don't know the answer.\"
Ohtani and Upton were far from the only Angels players with a big night. Walsh was a triple shy of a cycle,