U-18 World Cup, Premier12 star Shohei Ohtani hits for historic cycle
He became the first Japanese born player to complete the feat in the history of the Los Angeles Angels. He got started with a three-run home run, added a double in the third, a triple after a black-out in the fourth and a single in the seventh
Shohei Ohtani became the first Japanese born player to hit for the cycle in a Major League Baseball (MLB) game. It was the eighth cycle in the history of the Los Angeles Angels, the first since Mike Trout completed one on 21 May 2013.
The historic night happened on Thursday, 13 June, at Tropicana Field, St Petersburg. The Angels defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3.
“I’m simply very happy that I was able to accomplish this,” said Shohei Ohtani to MLB.com through an interpreter. “There have been so many other great Japanese players that have come before me. Being the first one to accomplish it, I’m really happy and it’s going to lead to a lot of confidence down the road.”
Ohtani homered in the first (the three-run shot was his eighth home run of the season), doubled in the third and didn’t lose his fire during a blackout that left Tropicana Field without power for 36 minutes. As the game resumed, he added a triple in the right field corner. To complete the cycle, Ohtani hit a line drive single at the end of an eight-pitch at bat against reliever Hunter Wood in the seventh inning.
Shohei Ohtani starred for Samurai Japan at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2012 and at the Premier12 2015.
