Article author:
Reuters
Shohei Ohtani isn't on the mound, but he will join the lineup as a designated hitter when the Los Angeles Angels host the Seattle Mariners in Anaheim, California on Friday night.
Keep all eyes on the two-way player to see what he might do for the encore.
On Tuesday, the active American League MVP hit two home runs, scoring the best eight RBIs in his career. Then on Wednesday, he shut out the Kansas City Royals with two hits and eight innings, hitting the best 13 batters of his career and walking alone.
"When you look at it every day, you're used to it, but there's a lot involved with him," said Angels Interim Manager. Phil Nevin said. "Just as his heart is in the game. He knows everything. He's amazing. It's fun to attend every day to see what he's doing at the baseball field.
Angels center fielder Mike Trout will return to the lineup after not playing in the match on Wednesday. Trout was playing all but three innings after returning from groin tension on June 11th and before taking Wednesday's break.
Right-handed Michael Lorenzen (6-4, 4.15 ERA) will start his 12th season on the Los Angeles mound. He is also off to the Mariners with the worst start of the season.
In Seattle last Friday, Lorenzen abandoned seven runs with seven hits and three walks with five innings. It was his only career start for the Mariners. After a strong start to the
season, he was 2-1 in 2.93 ERA in April and 3-1 in 3.31 ERA in May, but has struggled so far in June and 1-2. At 6.88 ERA.
The Mariners throw right-handed Chris Flexen (2-8, 4.23 ERA) to start the season's 14th time. Flexen hasn't won in the four starts in June, but he hasn't pitched very well. He gave up two runs in each of the last three starts over 17 innings.
The situation in Ty France is unknown after the Mariners first baseman appeared to have injured his left arm in a collision with Oakland's Sheldon Neuse in a 2-1 victory over A on Thursday. France had to leave the game.
Losing France would be a blow, given that the Mariners were the most stable batter in the 11th place out of the 15 teams scoring in AL.
France has played in all but one of the Mariners' 71 games, leading the league at bat (311). He also leads the team in RBI (45), batting average (.316) and OPS (.866), but he said all batters need to loosen a bit.
"I think everyone is overkill for now," France said. "I haven't scored a lot these days, so when I get those opportunities, I think we're really trying to take advantage of it. Maybe I've put too much pressure on myself and now I'm done. Not. "
– Field-level media
