OC Register: Just a hitter for now, Shohei Ohtani blasts two homers to pace Angels’ victory

AngelsWin.com · September 5, 2018

The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani hits the first of his two home runs during the fifth inning of Wednesday’s game against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Angels starting pitcher Jaime Barria throws to the plate during the first inning of Wednesday’s game against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 05: Kole Calhoun #56 of the Los Angeles Angels scores a run against the Texas Rangers in the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 5, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Bartolo Colon delivers to the plate against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Los Angeles Angels’ David Fletcher heads home to score on a single by Taylor Ward against the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani gets out out of the way of an inside pitch from Texas Rangers pitcher Bartolo Colon during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Los Angeles Angels’ Taylor Ward follows through on a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 05: Andrelton Simmons #2 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates after hitting a two-run homerun with Shohei Ohtani #17 against the Texas Rangers in the second inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 5, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels’ Taylor Ward is greeted in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jaime Barria delivers to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (17) slaps the hand of on-deck batter Andrelton Simmons (2) after hitting a solo home run against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani smiles as he is greeted in the dugout by teammates after scoring on a single by Andrelton Simmons against the Texas Rangers during the seventh inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jaime Barria walks off the diamond after retiring the Texas Rangers in the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (17) steals second base as Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (12) tries to catch the throw during the seventh inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (17) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run, near Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (17) jumps in the air at home plate with David Fletcher (6) after hitting a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 05: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates after scoring against the Texas Rangers in the second inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 5, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Texas Rangers’ Adrian Beltre watches his two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Texas Rangers’ Adrian Beltre (29) gets congratulations from Rougned Odor (12) and Joey Gallo, right, after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia discusses the injury of Shohei Ohtani prior to the team’s baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia discusses the injury of Shohei Ohtani, not pictured, in the dugout prior to a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)

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ARLINGTON, Texas — Hours after the Angels announced that Shohei Ohtani would not be pitching for them anytime soon, he demonstrated that he’s still got plenty of value as a hitter.

Ohtani hit his 17th and 18th homers among his four hits, backing five scoreless innings from Jaime Barría in the Angels’ 9-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night.

The Angels played the game without Mike Trout (sore calf) and Justin Upton (concussion), so they had Ohtani and Andrelton Simmons hitting in the 3-4 spots in the lineup.

Simmons hit a two-run homer in the third to put the Angels ahead 4-0. It made him the first Angels shortstop since Jim Fregosi to have back-to-back double-digit homer seasons.

Ohtani homered in the fifth and eighth innings, the latter a two-run shot that tied him with Seattle Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima for the most homers by a rookie from Japan.

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Ohtani was playing the game even though he learned earlier in the day that he suffered more damage to his elbow, which will most likely require Tommy John surgery that will prevent him from pitching until 2020. Ohtani is still expected to be able to hit in 2019, even if he has surgery.

As the Angels try to piece together a rotation for 2019, most likely without Ohtani, Barría has proven to be a strong candidate.

The 22-year-old rookie now has a 3.30 ERA after 23 starts and 111-2/3 innings.

On Wednesday night he got in a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, but he escaped by striking out Adrian Beltre and getting Jurrickson Profar on a flyout.

Barría allowed just one hit over his next four innings.

More to come on this story.

Good news: Shohei can still hit dingers. pic.twitter.com/oK2EmSUfoa

— MLB (@MLB) September 6, 2018

Tonight will be known as "The UCL Game.” pic.twitter.com/AkLvYtTQY8

— MLB (@MLB) September 6, 2018

A true dinger!@Andrelton drops to a knee (!!!) and bangs one off the fair pole to bring home #ShoTime! pic.twitter.com/ItRTYUtAK7

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) September 6, 2018

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OC Register: Just a hitter for now, Shohei Ohtani blasts two homers to pace Angels’ victory

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