It was the late innings of a taut game — a game they would eventually lose — and the Angels had one of the most dangerous, productive hitters in baseball on their bench.
The decision honored the team's original plan of resting Ohtani on the days before and after he pitches with the focus being on his long-term health and availability.
"This is a template that's very conservative right now," he said. "If we [need to] move off of that as his career goes on, then we'll evaluate it at that time."
Scioscia said the fact that the game Sunday started at 1 p.