Angels News: Phil Nevin Wasn’t Going to Take Reid Detmers Out of No-Hitter

Instilling confidence in the young man.

Stringing together multiple rough outings over his last few starts, Angels lefty Reid Detmers put it all together in a win against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night. 

Pitching a no-hitter through seven dominant innings of work against the AL West division leaders, Detmers' manager Phil Nevin spoke on his thought process to leaving his starter in for the eighth despite a high pitch count. 

“I’m not going to take that opportunity away from somebody. That’s history … I don’t know how many have thrown two (no-hitters) in their careers. I can’t imagine many before they’re 24. And I think usually those guys got a plaque somewhere.”

via Jeff Fletcher, OC Register

In the modern game when combined no-hitters have become more of the norm, the Halos' skipper gave his young lefty a longer leash than most would have in the same position. 

Struggling mightily in his third time through the order all year long, Detmers gave everything he had on the mound for a team that needed him the most. 

Already with one no-hitter to his name in his young career, Detmers' bid to get his second fell short in the eighth after a spectacular start. 

Fellow starters Patrick Sandoval and Lucas Giolito struggled in the Rangers series and Detmers was able to save a Halos sweep with his performance on Wednesday. 

Shohei Ohtani and Matt Thaiss both homered in the contest in a relatively quiet night from the Angel offense once again. 

Two runs was all Anaheim needed to win the game though, as Detmers dominated the Texas lineup all night. 

Despite a scare from some late Ranger traction on the basepaths in the ninth, Carlos Estevez slammed the door like he did for a majority of the first half that made him an All-Star. 

A bounce back performance for the entire team in all facets, the Halos salvaged this series and will carry this momentum into their next series against the Rays.