Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani joins Babe Ruth as only players in MLB history to have at least 10 HRs and 10 wins in same season

play

Another home run, another victory, another place in the history books. Another night for Ohtani.

The two-way sensation from Japan withstood another injury scare and pitched six flawless frames to go with his team-leading 25th home run as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Oakland A's.

Babe Ruth was the only player to have at least 10 home runs and 10 wins in the same season. Bullet Rogan of the 1922 Kansas City Monarchs and Ed Rile of the 1927 Detroit Stars are said to have done it.

"I think every time we're out there he does something special,'' Angels interim manager Phil Nevin said. It's pretty awesome to be a part of that and you try not to take for granted. These things are not taken lightly.

Taylor Ward's three-run home run in the fifth was followed by Ohtani's towering drive off Sam Selman in the seventh as a crowd of red-clad fans sat behind the Angels' bench.

Ohtani now has the second-most home runs by a Japanese-born player. Hideki Matsui had 173.

"Obviously we're very different types of hitters, but if I get to pass Ichiro I'm really honored,'' Ohtani said through an translator.

Ohtani pitched well on the mound. He has 25 home runs and 100 strikeouts for the second year in a row, which is the first time that's happened in MLB history.

"After that home run, I turned to the umpire and third base coach and said, 'I don't know how he does it,'" A's third baseman Vimael Machin said. Being an elite player who can throw over 100 mph with nasty off speed and hit the ball the way he hits it, I cannot describe that. I would like to do that as well. He does amazing things.

The reigning American League Most Valuable Player almost did not make it out of the third.

After getting spiked on the top of his left foot, Ohtani was hit near the same area by an 87 mph line drive from Ramon Laureano.

After making the play for the final out of the game, Ohtani bent at the waist in obvious pain and left the field. He came back to the field a few moments later to see if his leg was okay.

Ohtani thought there was a good chance that it would hit his foot. I went back in and it was not as bad as I thought.

As the game went on, Ohtani's foot got worse. X-rays taken after the event were not positive.

He's doing well." He's going to play tomorrow. He was hit on the in step. It tightened up on him a little bit if you sat for a while.

The AP contributed to the report.