Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Shohei Ohtani pitches best game of career after trade rumors put to rest

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 7/27/23

Less than 24 hours ago, the Los Angeles Angels assured fans that they'd be able to watch MVP favorite Shohei Ohtani at Angel Stadium for at least a couple of more months.

On Thursday afternoon, Ohtani proved to the front office just how many hundreds of millions of dollars he deserved, while also showing fans what they'll be missing if he signs elsewhere over the winter.

Shohei finishes what he started! pic.twitter.com/MHfHG1W76o
— MLB (@MLB) July 27, 2023

Shohei Ohtani, you complete me. pic.twitter.com/vEYLm3ZHjv
— MLB (@MLB) July 27, 2023

Per Jeff Fletcher of SoCal News Group, Ohtani had pitched eight innings five previous times in his four-plus seasons as a starter but had never thrown a pitch in the ninth until Thursday.

The major-league HR leader just threw a one-hit shutout.

They should announce every day that he isn't getting traded. pic.twitter.com/wPEBz2DyaE
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 27, 2023

MLB.com's Sarah Langs provided some remarkable context following the three-time All-Star's latest feat.

most HR hit in a season, threw at least 1 shutout:

2023 Shohei Ohtani: 36
1918 Babe Ruth: 11
1931 Wes Ferrell: 9 https://t.co/IgcDfYzjql
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 27, 2023

just a reminder that the pitcher who just threw a shutout, Shohei Ohtani, currently leads MLB in…

- OPS
- SLG
- HR
- 3B (Tied)
- Opponent BA
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 27, 2023

Most importantly for the Halos, their 6-0 blanking of the Detroit Tigers brought them closer to a spot in the playoffs. They'll enter the nightcap of Thursday's doubleheader at 53-49 and 3.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays (57-46) for the third wild-card berth.

Toronto is off on Thursday, meaning Los Angeles could pull within three games with a win in Game 2 against Detroit. The Blue Jays will host the Angels in a monumental three-game set this weekend and throw ace Kevin Gausman in the opener vs. Lucas Giolito, whom L.A. acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.

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