The Angels’ Luis Rengifo, right, tosses liquid at starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani after their 4-2 victory over the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani took a no-hitter into the eighth inning and finished with 10 strikeouts. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani adjusts his cap as he stands on the mound during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani celebrates as the Oakland Athletics’ Nick Allen is thrown out at first to end the sixth inning on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Oakland A’s starting pitcher Cole Irvin, a former Servite High standout, throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Luis Rengifo hits a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Luis Rengifo, runs to first as he hits a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Luis Rengifo, right, runs the bases after hitting a solo home run as Oakland Athletics first baseman Dermis Garcia watches during the first inning on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Luis Rengifo, right, gestures as he finishes circling the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Luis Rengifo is splashed with water as he celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani looks toward the Oakland Athletics’ dugout as he comes up to bat during the first inning on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani hits an RBI single during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani hits an RBI single during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, right, runs to first as he hits an RBI single during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Mike Trout, center, scores on a single by Shohei Ohtani as Oakland A’s catcher Sean Murphy, right, stands by during the first inning on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Mike Trout celebrates in the dugout after he scored on a single by Shohei Ohtani during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Oakland A’s shortstop Nick Allen fields a ball hit by the Angels’ Matt Duffy during the first inning on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Oakland A’s starting pitcher Cole Irvin, a former Servite High standout, throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani reacts as he strikes out during the third inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani flips his bat after striking out during the third inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Taylor Ward rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani, who took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, allowed two hits with 10 strikeouts in eight scoreless innings in the 4-2 win. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani celebrates an out during the fifth inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Oakland A’s starting pitcher Cole Irvin, a former Servite High standout, throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the Angels on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
A fan holds up a sign as the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani steps up to bat during the fourth inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Max Stassi celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the seventh inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani celebrates after striking out the Oakland Athletics’ Vimael Machin during the seventh inning on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani celebrates after striking out the Oakland Athletics’ Vimael Machin during the seventh inning on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani walks off the field to a standing ovation after the top of the seventh inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani celebrates an out during the eighth inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the eighth inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani looks toward the plate after giving up a hit to the Oakland Athletics’ Conner Capel during the eighth inning on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani took a no-hitter into the eighth. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani looks toward the plate after giving up a hit to the Oakland Athletics’ Conner Capel during the eighth inning on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani took a no-hitter into the eighth. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani, left, talks with catcher Max Stassi after giving up his second hit during the eighth inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani took a no-hitter into the eighth before allowing a pair of hits. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani, left, talks with catcher Max Stassi after giving up his second hit during the eighth inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani took a no-hitter into the eighth before allowing a pair of hits. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani looks toward the plate after giving up a hit to the Oakland Athletics’ Conner Capel during the eighth inning on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani, left, talks with catcher Max Stassi after the eighth inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels relief pitcher Aaron Loup throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Angels relief pitcher Aaron Loup throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Angels second baseman David Fletcher throws to first base for an out during the ninth inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Angels relief pitcher Ryan Tepera throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani, left, celebrates with teammate Mike Trout after their 4-2 victory over the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani took a no-hitter into the eighth inning and finished with 10 strikeouts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani, center, celebrates with teammates after their 4-2 victory over the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani took a no-hitter into the eighth inning and finished with 10 strikeouts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Luis Rengifo, right, tosses liquid at starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani after their 4-2 victory over the Oakland A’s on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. Ohtani took a no-hitter into the eighth inning and finished with 10 strikeouts. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
ANAHEIM — Shohei Ohtani’s second and third pitches of the game on Thursday night were four-seam fastballs that registered at 94.1 mph and 93.7 mph, well below his normal velocity.
So Ohtani scrapped that pitch.
No matter. Ohtani still managed to come four outs away from a no-hitter in a 4-2 victory over the Oakland A’s on Thursday night, working amid chants of “M-V-P! M-V-P!” from the Angel Stadium crowd.
Oakland outfielder Connor Capel hit a bouncer that ticked off the glove of shortstop Livan Soto, attempting to make a backhand stop, with two outs in the eighth inning. Dermis Garcia then punched a clean single into left field.
Ohtani allowed just those two hits in eight scoreless innings, striking out 10 and walking one.
“He had everything working tonight,” Manager Phil Nevin said. “When he does that, these things are going to happen.”
Ohtani, however, didn’t see it that way. He said he had to rely on his slider because he didn’t have his fastball. He threw just four four-seam fastballs and 11 two-seamers among his 108 pitches, instead leaning heavily on 52 sliders.
“To be honest, I wasn’t really feeling my fastball,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “The velo wasn’t as fast as normal, but my slider was doing its thing and it was working. So I’m kind of surprised, with my stuff today, that I got through eight innings.”
All he did was pitch one of the best games of his major league career, although he barely missed the no-hitter that would have been a noteworthy addition to the national discussion about his season.
“Certainly would have made the MVP chatter a little more interesting tomorrow,” Nevin said with a smile.
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is considered the heavy favorite for the American League MVP award because he’s blasted 61 home runs, equaling the AL record, and he’s vying for a Triple Crown.
While Ohtani can’t compete with Judge’s offensive numbers, he is having perhaps the greatest two-way season in history, even better than the one that won him the award unanimously last year.
Ohtani is 15-8 with a 2.35 ERA and 213 strikeouts, to go with 34 home runs, 94 RBIs and an .887 OPS.
“Nothing that Shohei does really surprises me because I think the sky’s the limit,” catcher Max Stassi said. “He can do anything in this game. He’s proven that. He’s continuing to get better. As a former MVP, the bar is set high. The expectations are high. And he lives up to those, and he tries to overshoot those even more the following year.”
Ohtani reiterated that he believes he’s having a better season this year, but he would not campaign for himself to win the MVP.
“I feel like you guys are more of an expert on the voting, the writers, I leave it up to you guys,” Ohtani said, “but I’m definitely enjoying it. I’m enjoying watching Judge. I saw his 61st. Just as a baseball fan, it’s great watching him do his thing.”
Ohtani had the chance to do his thing with his 27th start of the season, and his final one at Angel Stadium. With the Angels having dropped out of the race months ago, just about the only excitement left around the team is related to Ohtani.
Before the game, Nevin said that “my parents only come when he pitches.”
Although Ohtani has done spectacular things throughout his five years in the big leagues, he hadn’t even flirted with a no-hitter since his rookie year. In the second start of his career, he lost a no-hit bid with one out in seventh. Since then, he had not finished six innings without allowing a hit. He never threw a no-hitter in Japan, and he has never thrown any complete game in the majors.
He still had little trouble going through the A’s, who came into the game with a major league-worst .630 OPS.
Ohtani walked Tony Kemp, the first hitter of the game, on six pitches. He came back to strike out Vimael Machin. He then got Sean Murphy to ground a ball to third baseman Luis Rengifo, who started an easy around-the-horn double play.
Ohtani’s pitch count was trending a little high for him to be able to complete the game when he was at 56 pitches after five innings, but he needed just seven pitches to get through the fifth and nine in the sixth.
“I thought that was one of his better outings of the season,” Stassi said. “He had the slider working, obviously. He threw a bunch of them. He was awesome.”
Meanwhile, Ohtani also helped the Angels take a quick lead, with his RBI single in the first inning giving them a 2-0 lead. The hit extended Ohtani’s hitting streak to a career-best 14 games. Luis Rengifo had led off the inning with his 16th homer of the season.
After that, the Angels’ insurance runs came in quick bursts: solo homers by Taylor Ward in the third and Stassi in the sixth.
That allowed Ohtani to get back on the mound quickly, without waiting through long rallies by his teammates.
The crowd was rocking as he recorded each out through the late innings. Stassi made a nice catch of a foul pop against the screen to begin the eighth. Ohtani then struck out Jordan Diaz.
Capel, who was playing just his 17th big league game, then ended Ohtani’s no-hit bid with a single. It was a tough play for Soto because he was shaded up the middle against the left-handed hitter.
Ohtani said the two-strike pitch was ”up too much, and he should have thrown something to go for the strikeout. Although Ohtani gave up a clean hit to Dermis, he still escaped the inning without a run. It was the fourth time in his career he had pitched eight innings, and the second time he’d pitched eight scoreless innings.
While it wasn’t a no-hitter, it was close enough to get Nevin to believe it would happen.
“When we got through the seventh,” Nevin said, “I really thought it was going to happen. Unfortunately, it didn’t. Wait till next time.”
It's nights like these where we have to truly appreciate how lucky we are to witness Shohei Ohtani. pic.twitter.com/mbpiZ1GffP
