While the Bucs would go on to win 10-6, thanks in large part to a seven-run second inning, that matchup was the main pull of the evening. Skenes, the top pitching prospect of his generation, and Ohtani, the two-way sensation who is in the mix for a third Most Valuable Player Award, had never squared off against each other, and both players decisively won a battle in their first two encounters.
"Ohtani and Skenes is kind of what you want to watch,ā said Nick Gonzales, who had four RBIs in the win. āAs a player, too. We're just as eager to see those guys go at it as much as the fan. It's really cool to see."
In the first inning, Skenes attacked Ohtani head on with fastballs, challenging him with 101.3, 100.1 and 100.8 mph heat. Ohtani whiffed on all three pitches.
In the third, Ohtani got another crack, this time with Mookie Betts on first. Skenes got two more whiffs, but on a full count, Ohtani got a hold of a 100.1 mph fastball and hit it to dead center for a two-run home run.
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