Ohtani hits MLB-leading 33rd HR, expects to make next start - ESPN

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Shohei Ohtani hit his major league-leading 33rd homer to key a tying rally in the ninth inning, and rookie Trey Cabbage scored on rookie Grae Kessinger's throwing error in the 10th to give the Los Angeles Angels a wild 13-12 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.

The Astros' rookie shortstop threw wide of first base while attempting to turn an easy inning-ending double play on Taylor Ward's grounder. Cabbage scored from third in only his second major league game to set off a wild celebration for the Angels, who rallied from a six-run deficit in the seventh and a three-run deficit in the ninth.

The Angels can only hope their next win is a little bit less grueling than this victory, which snapped their six-game losing streak.

«To say that win was needed is an understatement,» Angels manager Phil Nevin said.

And it came after the Angels received a dose of good news on Ohtani from a pitching perspective. He is tentatively expected to make his next mound start Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, despite the minor finger injuries that have hampered his past three starts, Nevin said.

Ohtani is bothered by a finger blister and by a cracked fingernail, and had to leave Friday's start in the sixth inning.

«For the most part, things just didn't go the way I wanted to,» Ohtani said through his interpreter Friday. «It's kind of been like that when I was on the mound.… I haven't really thought about when my next outing is. I'm just going to come to the field, see where my finger is at, and go from there.»

Houston has their own issues on the mound. Starter Framber Valdez left Saturday's game with an apparent left calf injury in the seventh, but manager Dusty Baker said the team is hopeful both injuries