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 Friday night in the team's first home game since the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.
Former Braves Justin Upton and Andrelton Simmons played in the game for the Angels. Upton hit a home run and Simmons had three hits.
Another ex-Brave, Mallex Smith of the Mariners, grounded out for the last out of the no-hitter.
The Angels charged from the dugout and gathered in celebration near home plate. Then, all the Angels players, who were wearing Skaggs' No. 45 on their jersey, covered the pitching mound with the jerseys as a tribute to Skaggs, on the eve of what would have been his 28th birthday.
"I feel like this is partly Skaggsy's no-hitter," manager Brad Ausmus said. "I don't think it's something that even crosses your mind, on a night that you're honoring a fallen teammate that you could score 13 runs or throw a no-hitter."
Skaggs was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Texas on July 1. Skaggs' mother, Debbie, threw out the first pitch during an emotional pregame ceremony which included a 45-second moment of silence after a tribute video was played.
Skaggs' close friend, Mike Trout, was the offensive hero for the Angels with three hits and six RBIs. In his first at-bat, he hit a Mike Leake sinker 450 feet over the wall in center field on the first pitch for a two-run homer and his AL-leading 29th of the season as the Angels put up seven in the opening frame.
Trout added a two-run double to left later in the inning to extend the lead to 7-0. He was the first LA player to have two extra-base hits in the first inning since Jim Edmonds in 1994.
"You can't make this stuff up. He's probably up there saying we're nasty," said Trout, using what was one of Skaggs' favorite sayings.
Right-handers Cole and Pena 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.
Cole was the opener and went two innings, striking out two on 22 pitches, including 13 strikes. Pena worked the final seven innings and struck out six with one walk. The right-hander has thrown 81 pitches, 52 strikes.
"For sure I felt him," said Pena of Skaggs. "Every time I was on the mound, I was trying to remember the words he said to me. Focus, focus."
Credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez
Credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez
It is the second no-hitter in the majors this season. Oakland's Mike Fiers no-hit Cincinnati on May 7. It is the 13th combined no-hitter in MLB history and the first since the Dodgers did it against San Diego on May 4, 2018, in Monterrey, Mexico.
It is the first Angels no-hitter since Jared Weaver accomplished the feat against Minnesota on May 2, 2012.
Before the game, Skaggs' presence was strong in Anaheim.
His jersey hung in his untouched locker in the clubhouse, his pristine cleats and gloves ready for a ballgame. The big stereo system in the room's center is silent because the affable left-hander who controlled the Angels' musical choices is no longer here.
"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. ... He's the life of the team, honestly."
During a poignant pregame ceremony, both teams lined the basepaths as Skaggs' family took the mound led by Debbie Skaggs, the longtime softball coach at Santa Monica High School.
Debbie Skaggs threw a brisk strike to Andrew Heaney, Skaggs' best friend and fellow Angels rotation member.
About the Author
