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Angels Rookie Reid Detmers Throws 1st Career No-Hitter in 12-0 Win vs. Rays

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVMay 11, 2022

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MAY 10:  Reid Detmers #48 of the Los Angeles Angels throws against the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 10, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Los Angeles Angels rookie pitcher Reid Detmers threw a no-hitter Tuesday night in L.A.'s 12-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

The no-hitter was the first of the 22-year-old's young career and the second in Major League Baseball this season, joining a combined effort by the New York Mets last month.

Detmers allowed one walk and struck out two batters over nine innings.

To complete the no-hitter, Detmers got Rays leadoff man and first baseman Yandy Diaz to ground out weakly to shortstop, setting off a raucous celebration at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

Angels’ rookie Reid Detmers has thrown a no-hitter 😱 <a href="https://twitter.com/BRWalkoff?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BRWalkoff</a> <br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/BallySportsFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BallySportsFL</a>) <a href="https://t.co/MTeJuvclqs">pic.twitter.com/MTeJuvclqs</a>

While Detmers has typically been a strikeout pitcher, as evidenced by his career strikeout rate of 12.5 per nine innings in college, the minors and MLB combined, he took a different approach Tuesday.

The 2010 No. 10 overall draft pick out of Louisville induced a ton of soft contact with 11 ground-ball outs and 14 flyouts.

Detmers also needed only 108 pitches to complete the no-hitter, and his manageable pitch count undoubtedly played a role in manager Joe Maddon allowing him to go for it.

After his historic performance, the southpaw said: "Getting the last out was the coolest part. It's just something I've dreamed ever since I was a little kid. I didn't think it would ever happen."

The most nervous moment came in the seventh inning when Angels first baseman Jarrod Walsh flubbed a grounder, allowing Rays outfielder Brett Phillips to reach. However, it was ruled an error, and the no-hitter remained intact.

In addition to being the youngest pitcher to throw an MLB no-hitter since Anibal Sanchez for the then-Florida Marlins in 2006, Detmers threw the first Angels no-hitter since 2019 when Felix Pena and Taylor Cole combined for one.

It was the Angels' first individual no-hitter since Jered Weaver in 2012.

On the heels of Tuesday's showing, Detmers looks like an early favorite for American League Rookie of the Year honors, as he owns a 2-1 record with a 3.77 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 20 strikeouts over 31 innings pitched.