In what could potentially be his last home game before the Aug. 1 trade deadline, Los Angeles Angels’ two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani hit his major league-leading 36th homer on Sunday. 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 marked his 24th homer in his last 45 games. This surge of power has been instrumental in the Angels’ recent success, helping them secure six victories in their last eight games.
The Angels’ recent team success seemingly decreases the odds of a trade while team owner Arte Moreno decides whether to risk losing Ohtani in free agency this winter.
Andrew Velazquez and Luis Rengifo hit back-to-back homers during the Angels’ four-run fifth inning, and Mickey Moniak extended the majors’ longest active hitting streak to 14 games.
Ohtani and the Angels will head to Detroit next, where the team’s future will become more certain as the trade deadline approaches.