Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe, left, is congratulated by teammate Shohei Ohtani after hitting a thee-run home run during the fourth inning of a 6-0 win over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my career, the transition to the major leagues.” Into this fray stepped Logan O’Hoppe, the strapping 23-year-old rookie who became …
Angels’ Brandon Marsh, left, is congratulated by Shohei Ohtani, right, and Max Stassi after hitting a three-run home run against the Miami Marlins during the first inning on Monday at Angel Stadium. It was Mike Scioscia’s mantra for two decades in Anaheim: “The heartbeat of a championship-caliber club,” the former manager often said, “is starting pitching.” One turn through a …
Chicago White Sox baserunner José Abreu, left, checks on Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani after they collided at home plate during the fifth inning Sunday. Asked about the decision afterward, Maddon said simply: “You see the stuff he had?” Ohtani’s first pitch of the at-bat went to the backstop, allowing one runner to score and the other two to advance …
