Ohtani goes into HR Derby mode as Angels rout Tigers

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani celebrated his appointment to next month's All-Star Home Run Derby in fitting style, connecting twice during the Los Angeles Angels' 11-3 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.

Ohtani clubbed his 20th and 21st homers of the season hours after announcing he would take part in MLB’s annual home-run spectacle July 12 at Coors Field in Denver.

The first blast from Ohtani was a line drive to right field that was part of the Angels’ three-homer fifth inning. His second went the opposite way to left-center field in the eighth, helping bring the team back to the .500 mark at 35-35.

“The first one was like 15 feet off the ground and the second one was a great spot for him,” Angels manager Joe Maddon said. “When he's hitting the ball like that to left-center, you know he's got his A-hack going on. Wonderful to watch.”

Luis Rengifo and Jared Walsh also homered in the fifth, with Rengifo’s first of the season coming in his second game since he returned from Triple-A. Walsh, who has taken over as the Angels’ everyday first baseman following the early-May departure of Albert Pujols, hit his 16th.

Tigers starter Jose Urena (2-7) was rocked for seven runs on seven hits with three walks over 4 1/3 innings. It was the second-consecutive start Urena gave up seven earned runs, also doing it Saturday against the Chicago White Sox.

“(Urena) was OK in the beginning but he hasn't been able to sustain it throughout and they put some really good swings on him,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “They beat us in every facet. It wasn't all Jose Urena. I know he gave up some damage in his last inning but ... obviously back to the drawing board for him.”

This was the second game the Angels were at full capacity this season, with a crowd of just 22,734...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Ohtani-goes-into-HR-Derby-mode-as-Angels-rout-16259087.php