Angels Pitcher Sets Franchise Record in Win

Maren Angus-Coombs | Apr 10, 2024

Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Anderson came into this season wanting to be better than last but he didn't expect to make history through his first two starts.

According to the Los Angeles Angels, Anderson is the first pitcher in history to toss seven-plus scoreless innings in each of his first two starts of a season. His 14-inning scoreless streak is tied for the second-longest to begin a season by an Angels pitcher since Nolan Ryan started the 1978 season with 16 scoreless innings.

The left-hander is coming off a disappointing 2023 season, his first season with the Angels since signing a three-year, $39 million deal. He was 6-6 last season with a 5.43 ERA in 25 starts.

When he walked off the mound on Monday night in the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays, the crowd gave him a roaring standing ovation.

“That was great,” Anderson said. “We have a lot of great fans. I feel like last year I didn’t pitch well for them. So to start off the year this way when people are here always feels good.”

Anderson said the biggest difference between last season and the start of this year has been his mentality and his defense.

“I think really just trying to go pitch to pitch, and not try to think too much,” Anderson said. “Just just try to execute as many as you can. And then really our defense has been great the last two for me, which is huge. I don’t get a lot of strikeouts. Our positioning has been really good. A lot of things that we’ve talked about. Guys have made really good adjustments, our staff’s made great adjustments. Having guys in the right spot at the right time is huge.”

He has spent parts of nine season in the big leagues and has a career record of 52-49 with a 4.29 ERA across 176 games including 168 starts.