The Los Angeles Angels have been arguably the biggest surprise in baseball so far this season. Entering Tuesday night, the Angels were 20-11 and a game ahead of the Houston Astros for first place in the American League West. But on Tuesday, there was an even greater surprise.
Angels rookie starting pitcher Reid Detmers tossed a no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays in a 12-0 victory.
In doing so, Detmers, at 22 years and 306 days old, became the youngest Angels pitcher to ever throw a no-hitter. He is also the youngest player to toss a no-hitter since Anibal Sanchez way back in 2006 for the then Florida Marlins.
At 22 years and 306 days old, Reid Detmers is the youngest Angels pitcher with a no-hitter in franchise history.
He's the youngest in MLB since Aníbal Sánchez in 2006 for the Marlins. pic.twitter.com/ZAgaTYSP4B
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 11, 2022
What's almost as remarkable is the young Angels lefty was only two over the minimum. He needed just 108 pitches to retire all 27 outs. Detmers was perfect through the first five innings, but walked Taylor Walls to lead off the sixth inning. Then in the seventh inning, Brett Phillips reached on an error from Jared Walsh.
The Angels youngster got plenty of run support, as Rays starter Corey Kluber got bombed for eight earned runs. Mike Trout hit two more home runs. Anthony Rendon and Chad Wallach also went deep for Los Angeles. But of course, as the game entered the late stages and Detmers had the no-hitter in tact, no amount of run support can relieve the pressure of the situation.
Incidentally, division rival Houston also almost had a no-hitter in their game Tuesday night. Justin Verlander was five outs away from his fourth career no-hitter before Gio Urshela broke it up.
The Angels are off to a blazing start, with better pitching than expected. If Detmers can continue to surprise this season, Los Angeles might truly have staying power this season.
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