Shohei Ohtani ends his brilliant season hungry for winning

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani pitched seven innings of one-run ball in his final game at Angel Stadium this season, striking out 10 Mariners amid the serenades of “M-V-P!” that have been the soundtrack to his summer.

Yet he left the mound with the score tied because his Los Angeles Angels teammates couldn't score more than one run, denying Ohtani a chance for his 10th victory. When the Angels' bullpen took over, its first two relievers swiftly surrendered four runs to playoff-contending Seattle in a 5-1 loss.

That sunny Sunday in Orange County neatly exemplified the gloomy context around the sensational season put together by Ohtani, a two-way superstar without precedent in the modern game.

Heading into the final week, Ohtani has 45 homers and 98 RBIs as a designated hitter along with a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts on the mound. He is both one of the best pitchers and one of the best hitters in the major leagues, and he is widely expected to win his first AL MVP award this fall.

But baseball won't get to enjoy Ohtani's talents in the postseason because he plays for the Angels, a big-budget franchise mired in six consecutive losing seasons and seven straight non-playoff seasons, including all four of Ohtani's stateside campaigns. The Halos' loss to Seattle in their home finale was their 82nd of the season, officially extending the majors' longest active streak of losing.

“It's very frustrating, very disappointing,” Ohtani said through his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. “I always look forward to being in the playoff race at the end. I always think about that.”

The Angels have two works of baseball art, and owner Arte Moreno has hung them in a dingy, derelict gallery: Mike Trout has won two of his three MVP awards during the Angels' six-year losing skid, and Ohtani...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Shohei-Ohtani-ends-his-brilliant-season-hungry-16491007.php