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Angels' Shohei Ohtani hits 450-foot homer, throws 101-mph pitch in same inning

Los Angeles Angels pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hit the fastest home run and threw the fastest pitch of the MLB season Sunday in Anaheim, Calif. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Los Angeles Angels pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hit the fastest home run and threw the fastest pitch of the MLB season Sunday in Anaheim, Calif. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

April 5 (UPI) -- Shohei Ohtani displayed his dynamic skill set when he hit the hardest home run and threw the fastest pitch for a starting pitcher so far this season in a Los Angeles Angels win over the Chicago White Sox.

Ohtani's historic performance came in the first inning of the 7-4 victory Sunday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.

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"What he did was pretty special," Angels manager Joe Maddon told reporters. "You're going to see a lot more of that season-in-progress.

"It was fun to watch and had everybody entertained. It's what he signed up to do and he had a chance to do it."

The Angels designated hitter/pitcher began his day by facing White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson. He ended that five-pitch exchange by forcing a ground out. Ohtani then struck out Adam Eaton and walked Jose Abreu. He ended the half-inning by forcing a Yoan Moncada ground out.

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Ohtani threw three pitches that traveled faster than 100 mph in the first frame, including a 100.6-mph fastball to Eaton. That offering was the fastest pitch thrown so far this season.

David Fletcher led off the bottom of the inning with a ground out. Ohtani then settled in against White Sox starter Dylan Cease. The right-handed pitcher tossed in a 97-mph fastball for his only offering of the exchange. Ohtani obliterated the pitch deep to right field.

The 451-foot blast had an exit velocity of 115 mph, the fastest speed for a home run measured so far this season by Statcast, a statistical service managed by MLB.

Ohtani is the first MLB player to ever hit a ball at least 110 mph and throw a pitch at least 100 mph in the same game since Statcast started tracking games in 2015.

"I'm glad I got this game under my belt," Ohtani told reporters. "It will lead to more confidence. There's a huge difference with the fans, it helps me concentrate at the plate and on the mound. I feel like I get that extra push and extra gear."

Justin Upton brought in another run for the Angels with an RBI sacrifice fly in the first inning. The Angels went up 3-0 on an David Fletcher RBI single in the fourth frame. Chicago tied the score with three runs in the fifth inning.

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Jared Walsh then homered for the Angels in the bottom of the fifth frame. The White Sox tied the score at 4-4 in the top of the ninth inning. Walsh then won the game with a walk-off, three-run homer in the bottom of the final frame.

Ohtani went 1 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. He also allowed two hits and three runs and had seven strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings on the mound. He left the game due to an ankle injury in the fifth inning.

Walsh went 2 for 4 with four RBIs, two runs scored, a walk and a strikeout in the victory.

The Angels host the Houston Astros in the first game of a two-game series at 9:38 p.m. EDT Monday at Angel Stadium.

Scenes from MLB opening day at Yankee Stadium

The Toronto Blue Jays' Jonathan Davis scores the game-winning run in the 10th inning against the Yankees in the Opening Day baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York City on Thursday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

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