Ohtani strikes out 9, Moniak delivers big hit as Angels defeat Twins 4-2
Shohei Ohtani struck out nine in six innings, Mickey Moniak delivered his second big hit of the series and the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Minnesota Twins 4-2 on Sunday.
Ohtani did not get a decision despite allowing only one run and two hits. It was the fourth time in 10 starts this season the two-way superstar has had nine or more strikeouts.
He leads the majors with a .142 opponent batting average and is third in strikeouts with 80.
Moniak, who had a tying triple Friday night, came through with a two-run double in the seventh to give the Halos a 3-1 advantage.
Alex Kirilloff homered and Carlos Correa had an RBI double for the Twins, who dropped four of six on their Southern California road trip.
Chris Devenski (2-0) got the win and Carlos Estévez picked up his 12th save.
Correa got the Twins' first hit in the third inning. His double to right-center drove in Joey Gallo, who got aboard with a two-out walk.
The Angels evened it in the fourth. Hunter Renfroe and Jared Walsh opened the inning with base hits before Gio Urshela's sacrifice fly brought home Renfroe.
Los Angeles' first three hitters got aboard in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Matt Thaiss drew a leadoff walk to chase starter Pablo López (2-3). Zach Neto followed with a double to right off Jorge López, and Moniak drove them both in with a double to right-center.
After Moniak was unable to make a diving catch into the left-field stands on Kirilloff's solo shot down the line, the Angels responded with an insurance run on Thaiss' RBI double.
RETURN TO FORM?
Sunday's outing was more in line with what Ohtani showed at the start of the season, when he allowed only two earned runs and eight hits in his first five starts.
The right-hander was 2-1 in his last four outings, but had given up 17 runs and 18 hits, including eight home runs.
Ohtani threw 99 pitches. Of his 62 strikes, 22 were whiffs, which tied his season high.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Twins: DH Byron Buxton got the day off after he exited Saturday's game due to right leg tightness.
Angels: LHP Aaron Loup was activated from the injured list after he missed 15 games due to a left hamstring strain.