Shohei Ohtani: 13 astonishing facts from his historic, two-way MLB entrance

Shohei Ohtani is following a path forged by few others.

The Japanese sensation and Los Angeles Angels two-way star is making history each time he's penciled in the lineup -- either as the starting pitcher or designated hitter. 

Earlier this week, Ohtani, 23, became the first Major League player to earn a win in one game, then homer in a start as a non-pitcher in his next game since Babe Ruth in 1921.

A look back at eight astonishing days that suggest the hype that preceded Ohtani was very much real:

April 1

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• Ohtani notches his first major league win, as the Angels prevail 7-4 in Oakland. In that game, he retires 14 of the last 15 batters he faces.
• Ohtani throws 92 pitches, 63 of them strikes and tosses first-pitch strikes 14 times in 22 tries, including against eight of the first nine men he faced.
• Ohtani induces 18 swings and misses, a total surpassed by Angels starters only three times last season. 
• His hits 100 mph twice.

Tuesday

• Just two days after picking up his first major-league win on the mound, Ohtani blasts a three-run home run off Indians starter Josh Tomlin in his first plate appearance at Angel Stadium. He finishes 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs.
• He is the first player to earn a win in one game, then homer in a start as a non-pitcher in his next game since Babe Ruth in 1921.

Wednesday

• Ohtani homers in his second straight game -- this time off Corey Kluber, the reigning AL Cy Young winner.
•  He becomes the first Angel to homer in his first two career home games.

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Friday

• For the third consecutive game, Ohtani blasts a home run -- a solo shot in his first at-bat off Daniel Gossett of the Athletics.
• Ohtani's homer flew off his bat at 112.4 mph and traveled an estimated 449 feet, according to Statcast. It stands as the hardest-hit and longest home run for the Angels this season. 

Sunday

• In his second start as a pitcher, Ohtani retired the first 19 batters he faces, with 12 strike outs to beat the Athletics 6-1. He allows just one hit over seven innings to improve to 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA
•  Ohtani induces 24 pitches for swinging strikes -- the highest total accumulated in a start this year. Of the 12 strikeouts, only three are foul balls.
• The only pitchers who in their first two career starts had a game in which they pitched at least 7 innings, allowed 1 hit or fewer, 1 walk or fewer and struck out at least 12: Steve Woodard in 1997, Juan Marichal in 1960.

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