Alex Cora had incredible praise for Shohei Ohtani

Aug 21, 2018; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani in the dugout against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Angels ace Shohei Ohtani stuck out 11 batters in a 8-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox this past Thursday. 81 of his 99 pitches went for strikes, and there were 29 swings-and-misses. It was a performance that left an impression on Boston skipper Alex Cora.

In fact, Cora was so impressed with Ohtani’s dominance, he immediately went home to re-watch it on tape.

“We don’t get mulligans but let’s give the guys a mulligan [for Thursday],” Cora told reporters, via Mass Live. “I watched the game and, unreal what that guy did. Stuff-wise, it’s probably the best I’ve seen against us since 2018. Let’s wash that one, if you guys let me.”

Ohtani didn’t just dominate on the mound, either. He also went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. But it was the electric stuff Cora simply couldn’t get over.

“He was throwing 100 (mph) with a sweeping slider, with a curveball, with conviction,” Cora added. “Sometimes, you’ve got to tip your hat and move on.”

Cora took over as Red Sox manager in 2018, so he’s seen quite a few games in his time. Some of those include a no-hit loss to the Oakland A’s that same year but it simply doesn’t compare, Cora says. Ohtani is just different.

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