Angels fans furious as White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech hits Shohei Ohtani: "I want him arrested immediately"

While the Los Angeles Angels beat the Chicago While Sox in their series opener on Monday, pitcher Michael Kopech came under fire from fans after one of his pitches hit Shohei Ohtani in the leg. The incident occurred during the first inning, with Kopech on the mound.

The Los Angeles Angels got off to a flying start, taking an early 4-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a three-run homer from Brandon Drury and a solo homer from Matt Thaiss.

However, that was not the only highlight in the first inning. Right handed pitcher Michael Kopech yanked a fastball to the left of the plate which struck Ohtani in the leg.

Luckily for the Angels, Ohtani was able to walk it off and remain in the game. However, it did not sit well with fans who treasure the Japanese two-way star.

Liam Hendricks makes MLB return after Michael Kopech is branded as the villain

There has been a lot of hostility towards Chicago White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech after his pitch struck Shohei Ohtani in the leg.

However, there was also a milestone to be proud of for Kopech as he became the fourth pitcher in franchise history to tally more than five strikeouts in an outing of less than five innings.

Another encouraging sign for the White Sox was the return of reliever Liam Hendricks to the MLB after his battle with cancer. The pitcher received a warm welcome from the fans as a gesture of solidarity following his personal struggles.

About the author

Nishant Borooah is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2023 and has a degree in Media Studies and Journalism.

Nishant is currently pursuing a diploma in Sports Marketing, and his interest in baseball was piqued early on by his father, who fell in love with baseball as a student in the US. His father used to regale him with stories about America's favorite pastime and they have left an impression on him.

Currently residing in Toronto, Nishant is a Blue Jays fan. revering Ichiro Suzuki growing up, Nishant remains in awe of the Japanese legend's longevity and sheer passion for the game. Suzuki's return to the Seattle Mariners in 2018 remains one of Nishant's favorite MLB moments.

One of Nishant's strengths is that he always covers the technical side of the story, and he is also particular about historical context to ensure articles are informative and easy to follow.

Besides being a writer, Nishant is also a soccer coach who has worked with several clubs in India like Shillong Lajong FC and RoundGlass Punjab FC.

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