After striking out Mike Trout to begin the ninth inning, Dodgers starter Tyler Anderson gave up a triple to Shohei Ohtani—ending his chance of a no-hitter. He was relieved in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ (39–23) second “freeway series” victory, 4–1, over crosstown rival Los Angeles Angels (29–35) Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers remain tied with the Padres (40–24) at the top of the National League West, while the Angels drop to third in the AL West 10.5 games behind the Astros.
Anderson, a 32-year-old veteran, along with Tony Gonsolin are both leading the NL with a record of 8–0. They signed with the Dodgers in the off-season knowing that they would begin in the bullpen.
Both quickly became starters as Clayton Kershaw (who pitched the Dodgers’ last no-hitter in 2014), Andrew Heaney, and now Walker Buehler have all been on the injured list this season.
Anderson agreed with the Dodgers on March 18 on a one-year contract for $8 million. He is a native of Las Vegas from Spring Valley High School before pitching for the Oregon Ducks.
The left-hander was drafted as the 20th pick overall by the Colorado Rockies in 2011 and now is with his fifth franchise.
In attempting the 24th no-hitter in Dodgers history, Anderson threw 78 strikes in a career-high 123 pitches, striking out eight batters and walking two while lowering his ERA to 2.82.
“The number went by the wayside after the eighth inning,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “Just watching his stuff, there wasn’t much of a falloff. There was still command in there, there was still teeth to the breaking pitches. I was just really wanting that for him.”
Anderson appreciated the opportunity provided by Roberts, as his previous career-high pitch count was 109 in 2018 with Colorado.
“You may never have a chance to do that again,” said Anderson. “You just want to give it a chance.”
Mookie Betts dove in an attempt to salvage the no-hitter on Ohtani’s shot into right field, though he had little chance to reach the line drive.
“You can’t ask for anything better than that,” said Anderson of Betts. “I kind of laughed that he dove for it. It’s a very nice gesture.”
Anderson tipped his cap as he received a standing ovation from the 50,812 crowd coming off after Ohtani’s hit. Anderson struck out the reigning AL MVP in Ohtani’s first two at-bats.
“It felt like a really big spot in a playoff situation,” continued Anderson. “The crowd was really, really into it. You can feel the energy.”
Relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel then gave up a single to Matt Duffy that scored Ohtani for the Angels’ sole run—before closing out the game, striking out Jared Walsh and Brandon Marsh.
The Dodgers took an early lead behind a three-run homer by Will Smith, off of rookie Angels pitcher Reid Detmers, scoring Freddie Freeman and Trea Turner, who had both walked. Turner added a solo home run in the third for a 4–0 lead.
The left-hander Detmers (2–3, 4.25 ERA), who pitched a no-hitter against Tampa Bay last month, gave up four runs and four hits in 3 2/3 innings of work, while striking out six and walking three.
The Angels start RHP Ohtani (4-4, 3.64 ERA) Thursday at Seattle in the opener of a four-game series, while the Dodgers remain home starting LHP Julio Urías (3-6, 2.80 ERA) Friday against Cleveland in the opener of a three-game interleague series.
