MLB ROUNDUP: Shohei Ohtani throws his first-career shutout and then hits two home runs against Tigers

Shohei Ohtani threw his first shutout in Major League Baseball in the first game of a doubleheader and hit two homers in the next, helping the Los Angeles Angels beat the Detroit Tigers twice on Thursday to sweep a three-game series.

Ohtani, though, gave the Angels a scare when he left the second game due to cramps that led to him grimacing after hitting his 38th homer in the fourth inning.

‘He´ll get some fluids in him and he´ll be fine,’ manager Phil Nevin said.

He pitched a one-hitter and struck out eight as the Angels beat Detroit 6-0 in the first game and then cleared the fences twice in an 11-4 victory for the surging team’s ninth win in 11 games.

Ohtani became the first major league player to throw a shutout in one game of a doubleheader and hit a homer – much less two – in the other.

Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani threw his first-career shutout against the Detroit Tigers

Ohtani he then hit two home runs against Detroit in the second game of the doubleheader

Ohtani celebrated his home runs by wearing a Kabuto samurai warrior helmet in the dug out

‘He probably had the greatest day of baseball that anybody´s ever seen today,’ said right-hander Matt Manning, who gave up both homers to Ohtani. ‘It´s incredible.’

Ohtani (9-5) did not allow a baserunner until the fifth inning of his start and walked three batters on the same day the Angels confirmed they’re not trading him.

The two-way superstar, who will be a free agent after the season, didn’t budge on his approach to avoid talking about next year despite the recent developments.

‘In season, I don´t really like to think about the long-term stuff, just focus on the season and every game that´s in front of me,’ Ohtani said through a translator after the first game. ‘Obviously, I´ve been with the Angels my whole career here, and I love the fans. I love the team, no complaints.’

The hard-throwing righty with wicked off-speed pitches threw 111 pitches, 71 for strikes.

‘I got to save the bullpen,’ said Ohtani, who had previously finished eight innings five times.

Michael Lorenzen (5-7) gave up three runs and five hits while walking one and striking out seven over five innings in what might have been his final start with Detroit.

The 31-year-old Lorenzen signed a one-year deal with the rebuilding Tigers, who are likely hoping they can acquire assets for a pitcher with experience as a starter and reliever before the trade deadline Tuesday.

The Angels, aiming for their first playoff appearance since 2014, sent a message to their players and fans that they’re in a win-now mode with a significant trade that essentially confirmed Ohtani is staying at least through the season.

The Ohtani-led pitching staff was bolstered Wednesday night when the Angels acquired right-handers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López from the Chicago White Sox.

‘This team deserves a chance to win,’ Angels general manager Perry Minasian said. ‘To acquire two pitchers, we think that really helps.’

While Ohtani went 0 for 5 at the plate and struck out twice in the first game, his teammates provided plenty of offense. Trey Cabbage’s sacrifice fly in the second inning was his first of three RBIs and Taylor Ward hit two homers.

Ohtani kept Detroit off balance, blowing fastballs that neared 100 mph past them and leaving them flailing at sliders and splitters.

‘It looked like he had the guys guessing,’ Tigers catcher Jake Rogers said.

In the second game, the left-handed hitter sent a two-run homer to left in a five-run second inning. Ohtani and Eduardo Escobar hit solo shots in the fourth. Hunter Renfroe added another homer in the sixth to help the Angels pull away.

Patrick Sandoval (6-7) gave up two runs in five innings in the second game and Manning (3-2) took the loss, allowing seven runs over five innings.

METS 2, NATIONALS 1

Mark Canha had a sacrifice fly immediately after a 97-minute rain delay in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift New York over Washington.

The Mets strung together three straight one-out singles – the last an RBI hit into right field by Daniel Vogelbach – against Mason Thompson (3-4). DJ Stewart was then plunked by a pitch to load the bases and Thompson was removed for Kyle Finnegan moments before umpires motioned the teams off the field.

After play resumed, Canha hit Finnegan´s fifth pitch to deep right field and Pete Alonso beat the throw home.

David Peterson (3-7) allowed three hits in two innings before Brooks Raley notched his second save with a hitless ninth.

New York Mets’ Pete Alonso smiles after scoring on a sacrifice fly by Mark Canha in the eigth

CUBS 10, CARDINALS 3

Yan Gomes drove in three runs and Chicago got back to .500 with its sixth straight win.

In the first inning, Cubs outfielder Ian Happ bloodied St. Louis catcher Willson Contreras when he hit him in the head with a long follow-through on a swing, then was soon hit himself by a pitch from Miles Mikolas.

Mikolas (6-6) brushed back Happ with his next pitch, then hit him. The right-hander was ejected and so was Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol.

Cody Bellinger, Christopher Morel and Mike Tauchman each had three hits for the Cubs to back left-hander Justin Steele (11-3), who gave up one run in six innings.

Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras is hit by the bat as Chicago Cubs’ Ian Happ swings

Contreras embraces Chicago Cubs’ Happ as Contreras leaves the game after being hit

GUARDIANS 6, WHITE SOX 3

Josh Naylor drove in three runs, rookie Tanner Bibee pitched into the seventh inning and Cleveland handed Chicago its sixth straight loss.

Guardians manager Terry Francona tied Casey Stengel for 13th place on baseball´s career wins list with his 1,926th victory.

Bibee (7-2) gave up three runs and six hits over 6 2/3 innings. Emmanuel Clase worked the ninth for his 28th save in 35 chances.

Naylor drove in two with a double and scored in a three-run third against Dylan Cease (4-4) that gave the Guardians a 4-0 lead.

Jake Burger homered twice for the White Sox.