Angels beat Pirates as Shohei Ohtani homers in last home game before trade deadline

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Shohei Ohtani's line drive left his bat at a sizzling 113 mph, but only a 19-degree launch angle. Hugging the ground like an airplane trying to fly below the radar, it streaked all the way over the center-field fence.

"I don't know if I've seen a ball hit like that, except a golf ball, maybe," Angels manager Phil Nevin said. "I thought he lined out to center. I did. Every day he does something to impress you."

The Angels and their fans left the Big A on Sunday not knowing whether that was the last bit of baseball magic they'll ever see from Ohtani in the Halos' home uniform on this field.

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Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Sunday, July 23, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif.  (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

But another big victory made it even more likely they'll have at least two more months to enjoy their two-way superstar.

Ohtani hit his major league-leading 36th homer in Los Angeles' final home game before the Aug. 1 trade deadline, and the Angels wrapped up a strong homestand with a 7-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Ohtani's low line drive in the first inning was his 24th homer in his last 45 games. Only five other major leaguers entered Sunday with more than 24 homers for the entire season, but Ohtani has rekindled his June power surge after the All-Star break with four homers during the Angels' nine-game homestand.

"Every single time you see Shohei, he does something to help the team," said Luis Rengifo, who hit two homers.

While