2-way matchup is all Shohei: Ohtani hits 2 HRs off Lorenzen

In the matchup of baseball’s most prominent two-way players, Shohei Ohtani had it all his way against Michael Lorenzen.

Ohtani hit two home runs off Lorenzen on Monday, earning plenty of praise from the Cincinnati Reds pitcher/outfielder.

“If I have to pick a favorite player, it’s him,” Lorenzen said.

Off to a sizzling spring start at the plate for the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani lofted an opposite-field drive to left in the first inning. The next time up, Ohtani went way deeper to left-center.

“I think made up for the first one because it went about twice as far,” Lorenzen said. “Man, he’s impressive. I’ve always said he’s the real deal, I’ve always said it from Day One. I love what he’s doing.”

Ohtani is 9 for 16 with three homers. The 2018 AL Rookie of the Year has made two starts this spring — one strong, the other shaky — while showing excellent velocity.

Ohtani hit .286 with 18 homers in 2019 but didn’t pitch while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He struggled during the 2020 pandemic-shortened season, batting .190 as a designated hitter and making two brief appearances on the mound.

Lorenzen has pitched over 444 innings in the majors. He’s played more than 30 times in the outfield, including six starts in center, and is a career .235 hitter with seven home runs.

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