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SPORTS Thursday 14 February 2019

U.S. goaltender Alex Rigsby (33) makes a save next to Canada
forward Ann-Sophie Bettez (39) during the second period of a Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani talks to the media at their spring baseball training facility in
Rivalry Series hockey game in London, Ontario, Tuesday, Feb. Tempe, Ariz., Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. The AL Rookie of the Year is recovering from Tommy John
12, 2019. surgery.
Associated Press Associated Press
Rigsby makes 33 Ohtani has no regrets hitting

saves, U.S. women through year, delaying surgery

shut out Canada By JANIE McCAULEY, AP some setbacks here and terms of his hitting prepara-

Baseball Writer
there," Ohtani said. "If not, tion.
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Shohei that's what I'm trying to go Ohtani said everything
LONDON, Ontario (AP) — ships," Canadian coach Ohtani tossed his water for." is going smoothly at this
In a defensive battle, Hil- Perry Pearn said. bottle toward a clubhouse At Tempe Diablo Stadium, stage.
ary Knight was in the right Canada had the better garbage can and missed, the scene Wednesday was "So far there's nothing in my
place at the right time. opportunities in the first instead landing it in a laun- a far cry from a year ago elbow, I don't feel anything
Alex Rigsby made 33 saves period. The closest the Ca- dry bin. He laughed out when Ohtani showed up at there. It's been great," he
and Knight scored as the nadians came to scoring loud, smiled big as he so spring training with fanfare said. "I just need to watch
United States earned a 1-0 was when Blayre Turnbull often does, then retrieved and faced a huge media my effort level, try to keep
victory over Canada on sneaked behind the de- the trash and put it in the contingent following his it down and listen to the
Tuesday night in the open- fense and cut in on Rigsby proper place. every move. For now, the trainers."
er of a three-game series from the right face-off cir- That's about as close to two-way star isn't even on Ohtani went 4-2 with a 3.31
between the rivals. cle. Rigsby made a sprawl- throwing as the Japanese the field as he works out in- ERA in 10 starts as a pitcher.
Knight poked a rebound ing save. two-way star is right now. side. He played 104 games over-
behind goalie Emerance Tempers flared in front of Ohtani wouldn't change Even the second time all as a rookie, hitting .285
Maschmeyer with 1:40 left the Canadian net as time how he handled his elbow around, "I feel just as ner- with 22 homers and 61 RBIs.
in the second period to qui- was running out in the first. injury late last year, con- vous as last year, my first While the Angels can't wait
et the announced crowd The result was minor penal- tinuing to hit for the Angels year." to get Ohtani healthy to hit,
of 9,036 at Budweiser Gar- ties to both teams, leaving until season's end even if Ohtani acknowledged they won't rush him. He and
dens. them to close out the pe- it meant delaying recon- that's partly because he's Albert Pujols are expected
"We had a lot of girls skat- riod playing 4-on-4. structive surgery and his behind schedule with the to share designated hitter
ing in front of the net, so it The Americans continued ability to pitch again until extensive rehab and will duties, with Pujols playing
was literally a puck that just their strong defense in the 2020. have to "catch up to ev- first on days Ohtani hits —
bounced in my direction," third period as Canada "I have no regrets about erybody." that is, if Pujols is physically
Knight said, "but obviously was relentless in pursuit of what happened last year. "It's going to be a slow pro- fine and performing, other-
all the work was done on the tying goal. Rigsby was That's what the team cess," new manager Brad wise Justin Bour becomes
the front end in order for solid throughout. thought about me, the Ausmus said ahead of his an option. The free agent
me to get that opportunity." Pearn said consistency was plan," Ohtani said through club's first on-field session first baseman signed a $2.5
The Americans have beat- an issue for his squad. interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. for pitchers and catchers. million, one-year deal in
en the Canadian women "The first 15 minutes of the "In the end it didn't work out "He gets his workouts in. December.
eight of the past 10 times first period and I thought but I still have no regrets." Right now he'll be mostly "That's why we're saying
at major tournaments. Of probably the last 12 minutes The reigning AL Rookie of inside. We need to protect we're going to be extreme-
those 10 games, there was of the third period we kind the Year is recovering from this guy long term, so we're ly cautious because we
a difference of more than of had them on their heels," an Oct. 1 Tommy John sur- hoping for May but if it goes don't want the fact that he
two goals only twice. Six of he said. "Unfortunately we gery with the hope he will longer it goes longer." might be able to DH affect
the games were decided had a bit of a bad shift, be able to bat in the Los The 24-year-old Ohtani him being able to pitch
in overtime or a shootout. the second-to-last shift of Angeles lineup as early as spent time back home in in 2020," Ausmus said of
"We said our approach to the game ... but other than May if all stays on schedule. Japan this offseason work- Ohtani.
this series is we're going to that I thought we had the "There's a lot of variables. ing through his rehabilita- Ohtani has accepted this
use it to help us get better best of the play and con- That's the goal I'm shoot- tion, which right now in- year will be about what he
for the world champion- trolled the opportunities."q ing for but there might be cludes dry swings only in can do behind the plate.q