May 15, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Milwaukee Brewers newest starting pitcher Aaron Civale made his team debut on Friday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Overall he pitched okay but the 29 year old did get tagged with four earned runs and surrendered two home runs over five innings pitched. One player he did have success against though was Shohei Ohtani.
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Aaron Civale struck out Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani three times in one game.
Aaron Civale’s night against the Dodgers began with a strikeout swinging to leadoff hitter Shohei Ohtani. A nasty sweeper on the fifth pitch of the at-bat was the punch out pitch. In the third inning a back door cutter on the sixth pitch of the at-bat sent Ohtani down looking and then in the fourth inning Ohtani chased a sinker that was above the zone for his third strikeout against Civale. Ohtani had struck out in his final three at-bats the night before against the Arizona Diamondbacks so he was on a streak of striking out in six consecutive at-bats.
Only nine pitchers have ever struck out Shohei Ohtani three times in a game.
Striking out Shohei Ohtani one time in a game is an accomplishment in itself, but for one pitcher to get him to strike out three times is incredibly rare. Across Ohtani’s seven year MLB career just nine other pitchers have done this. They are Justin Verlander, Justus Sheffield, Gerrit Cole, Luis Garcia, Dallas Keuchel, Triston McKenzie, Robbie Ray, and Bruce Zimmerman
