
Shohei Ohtani showcased his pitching prowess against the New York Mets, striking out Francisco Lindor with a 99.6-mph fastball after a challenging 11-pitch at-bat. The Los Angeles Dodgers maintained a two-run lead during the game.
LOS ANGELES — Francisco Lindor was fouling off everything Shohei Ohtani was throwing him with a runner on second and two outs in the top of the third inning, the Los Angeles Dodgers holding onto a two-run lead on Wednesday, April 15.
Ohtani threw the New York Mets' franchise shortstop a 98-mph fastball down the middle. Foul.
An 89.1-mph splitter below the strike zone. Foul.
An 85.4-mph sweeper that grazed the top of the zone? Foul.
Then, on the 11th pitch of the at-bat, Ohtani blew a 99.6-mph fastball by him for strike three to retire the side and finished it off with a slide step and a smile towards Lindor as he walked off the mound.
Ohtani — who was visibly surprised when manager Dave Roberts informed the two-way megastar that he wouldn't be in the lineup on Wednesday night — put on a masterclass with a renewed focus on the mound, striking out 10 in LA's 8-2 win over the Mets to match his most strikeouts in a Dodgers uniform.
Any lingering concerns about Ohtani's throwing shoulder after being hit by a pitch in Monday's game subsided. He didn't allow a single baserunner until MJ Melendez's double in the third, and the only time he was in any real trouble came in the fifth when he walked two and gave up another double to Melendez — this one an RBI ground-rule double that hopped over the wall in right field that put runners on second and third with one out.
But Ohtani put on a show and worked his way out of the jam with a strikeout of Tommy Pham in which his fastball reached 100.2 and 100.3 mph. He topped out one batter later with a 100.4-mph heater that Lindor harmlessly lined out to Teoscar Hernández in left field.
Ohtani put a little more polish on his gem in the sixth by striking out the side to end his night on a high note and put the Dodgers in the driver's seat to finish off the sweep.
Here's how Ohtani fared in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Mets:
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shohei Ohtani stats, Dodgers vs. Mets highlights
Ohtani struck out Francisco Lindor with a 99.6-mph fastball after an 11-pitch at-bat, demonstrating his impressive speed and control.
The Los Angeles Dodgers held onto a two-run lead against the New York Mets during the game on April 15.
Ohtani threw a 98-mph fastball, an 89.1-mph splitter, and an 85.4-mph sweeper to Lindor before striking him out.

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