Shohei Ohtani gave up three early home runs and was charged with his fourth loss as the Los Angeles Angels fell 6-1 to the New York Yankees in the first half of a doubleheader on Thursday.
Ohtani (3-4) hoped to make amends after being knocked out in the first inning of his previous start at Yankee Stadium 11 months ago, but the Yankees once again had answers for the two-way star, ushering him to another early exit.
He surrendered a leadoff homer to Matt Carpenter with a full count in the bottom of the first, then allowed another solo blast to Gleyber Torres with two out.
The right-hander was sent over the fence again in the third, when Aaron Judge launched his MLB-leading 19th home run on a line-drive solo to center.
Ohtani made way for reliever Jose Quijada following back-to-back base hits to start the fourth. In his three-plus innings, the Angels starter incurred four earned runs on eight hits and a walk.
"I couldn't bring a good rhythm here," Ohtani said. "I envisioned things going differently. I didn't move well, and it felt like that came out in my pitching."
Ohtani went 1-for-5 at the plate, singling with a line drive in the fifth but was subsequently picked off at first base by Yankees starter Nestor Cortes.
Left-hander Cortes (5-1) got the win, striking out seven while keeping the Angels scoreless on five hits through seven innings.
The Yankees prevailed 2-1 in Thursday's second game, with Ohtani going 0-for-3 and drawing a walk as designated hitter.