This one’s for Skaggs: Angels toss no-hitter
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Taylor Cole and Felix Pena of the Los Angeles Angels pitched the second combined no-hitter in franchise history, beating the Seattle Mariners 13-0 on Friday night in the team’s first home game since the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.
It is the second no-hitter in the majors this season. Oakland’s Mike Fiers no-hit Cincinnati on May 7.
Mallex Smith ended the game with a sharp grounder to second baseman Luis Rengifo, who threw to Justin Bour for the final out and the 11th no-hitter in Angels franchise history.
The righthanders combined for eight strikeouts and retired the first 13 batters. The only Seattle player to reach base was designated hitter Omar Narvaez, who walked with one out in the fifth inning.
Skaggs was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Texas on July 1. On the day before what would have been Skaggs’ 28th birthday, these astonishing Angels played a practically perfect game with his memory in their minds.
“Tonight is about him,” injured Angels infielder Zack Cozart said before the game. “We’re going to do what we can to honor him and keep his legacy going.”
This tribute ended up exceeding all logic and expectation, however.
Still reeling from the loss of their left-handed starter early last week in Texas, the Angels somehow excelled in every aspect of the game while wearing replicas of Skaggs’ No. 45 red jersey.
Cole was the opener and went two innings, striking out two on 22 pitches, including 13 strikes. Pena went seven innings and struck out six with one walk. The righthander has thrown 81 pitches, 52 strikes.
Pena got some help in the sixth inning when third baseman made a diving stop to glove Mac Williamson’s grounder and throw him out at first.
It is the first Angels no-hitter since Jared Weaver accomplished the feat against Minnesota on May 2, 2012.
The only other combined no-hitter by Los Angeles was by Mark Langston and Mike Whitt, which also happened against. Seattle on April 11, 1990.
INDIANS 5, TWINS 3: Minnesota slowed Cleveland’s charge in the AL Central as Jorge Polanco’s two-run double in the seventh inning rallied visiting Minnesota for a victory, ending the Indians’ six-game winning streak in the opener of a showdown series.
CUBS 4, PIRATES 3: Jason Heyward hit a tiebreaking RBI single with two out in the eighth inning, and Chicago edged Pittsburgh at Wrigley Field.
NATIONALS 4, PHILLIES 0: Stephen Strasburg struck out six in six innings, Victor Robles hit a two-run single, and Washington won at Philadelphia.
RED SOX 8, DODGERS 1: Xander Bogaerts hit a threerun homer, Eduardo Rodriguez struck out 10, and Boston beat Los Angeles at Fenway Park in the opener of a three-game rematch of the 2018 World Series.