MLB
Reid Detmers Becomes Third Former Salt Lake Bee To Record MLB No-Hitter
SALT LAKE CITY – Los Angeles Angels pitcher Reid Detmers threw MLB’s first complete-game no-hitter, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 12-0.
The Angels hosted the Rays at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, CA on Tuesday, May 10.
Drafted in the first round (10th overall) out of the University of Louisville in 2020, Detmers experienced a meteoric rise through the Angels system. In 2021, after going 2-4 in 12 starts for the Angels Double-A affiliate Rocket City, Detmers was promoted to Salt Lake. Detmers made two starts with the Bees inlcuding a six scoreless innings against Las Vegas in July.
At 21 years old, Detmers made his Major League debut for the Angels against the Oakland Athletics on August 1, 2021. He finished his first season in the big leagues with a 7.40 earned run average in five starts with a 1-3 record. Hardly the numbers indicating a future no-hitter.
Through five starts in 2022, Detmers had shown improvement over the previous season’s numbers. Not a high strikeout pitcher, Detmers instead relies on command, limiting base runners and the defense behind him to get the job done.
That’s exactly what happened on Tuesday night.
Detmers pitched to contact all night, inducing 11 ground ball outs and 14 out via the fly ball. His two strikeouts were the fewest in a no-hitter since Francisco Liriano in 2011. A sixth inning walk was the only thing that stood between Detmers and perfection on this night.
“He had much better mound presence tonight,” Angels manager Joe Maddon said. “He just looked and felt the part tonight. Bully for him. That’s potentially a life-altering event.”
At 22 years old, Detmers becomes the youngest player to twirl a no-no since Anibal Sanchez did it for the Detroit Tigers in 2006. He is also the third for Salt Lake Bee to throw a no-hitter. Following in the footsteps of Ervin Santana (July 27, 2011) & Jered Weaver (May 2, 2012).
Detmers talked about his nerves while facing the last hitter, “I can tell you when I got two strikes on the last batter, I was shaking a little bit but other than that, I was I tried to keep myself pretty calm.”
In spite of the shaking, Detmers forced Rays infielder Yandy Diaz into a ground ball. Andrew Velazquez scooped up the bouncer and fired to first to record the final out.
“I don’t know if it’s really sunk in yet. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of,” Detmers said following the historic outing. “I can’t even process it right now. I was feeling good. Changeup was feeling good; fastball is feeling good. I just kind of went out there and things went my way.”
The Angels improved to 21-11 with the win, leading the AL West by one game over the Houston Astros.
