Angels’ ‘Thor’ Syndergaard Bounces Back to Defeat Rangers 5–3

Starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard #34 of the Los Angeles Angels throws against the Texas Rangers during the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, in Anaheim, on May 24, 2022. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Noah Syndergaard had his best yet performance with the Los Angeles Angels, pitching eight innings in a 5–3 win over the Texas Rangers at Angels Stadium on Tuesday, improving their record to 27–17 for the season. The Angels remain in second place in the American League West one game behind the Houston Astros.

Syndergaard had his worst professional outing last week against these same Rangers in Texas. He was relieved in the first inning after only two outs—giving up four runs after leading by three in the first inning.

That defeat by the Texas native led to the Angels getting swept by the Rangers in the three-game series, giving up a total of 23 runs.

“I kind of had a chip on my shoulder,” said Syndergaard. “I pitched with some attitude and tempo and just tried to get the guys involved as much as possible. The defense was stellar tonight.”

Syndergaard allowed just one run on four hits while striking out five to improve his record to 4–2 this season, along with a 3.08 ERA and a WHIP of 1.08 in seven starts this season.

The performance was Syndergaard’s longest outing since recovering from Tommy John surgery in late March 2020, limiting him to two games with the Mets last year.

Syndergaard, nicknamed “Thor,” is a native of Mansfield Texas who was drafted 38th overall in 2010 by the Toronto Blue Jays out of Mansfield Legacy High School and given a $600k signing bonus, before being traded in December 2012 to the New York Mets—making his first MLB start in 2015.

He received just one scholarship offer as a late-bloomer with a huge growth spurt during his final year of high school to 6‘ 4“—ultimately reaching 6’ 6” and 240 pounds.

Along with weight training, Syndergaard improved to an 11–3 record as a senior and was named the 2010 Player of the Year by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

With an expiring contract in 2021, the Mets were willing to match a qualifying offer by the Angels, but Syndergaard decided to sign the one-year $21 million deal on November 17, 2021—becoming the highest season earning pitcher in Angels history, breaking Jered Weaver and C. J. Wilson’s deals.

“He wanted to prove a point after his last start against these guys,” said Angels manager Joe Maddon. “I thought he was outstanding. He was very aggressive and assertive. I think he was just on a mission tonight.”

Syndergaard threw 73 of 93 pitches for strikes for his career best strike rate of 78.5 percent. He did not once throw three balls in a count against any Ranger, which is a first in 128 career games pitched.

“It’s pretty cool and I didn’t realize it until I came out,” said the 29-year-old Syndergaard. “That’s the secret right there. I was just in attack mode the whole game.”

The Rangers were hitless until Adolis Garcia sent a single to right field in the fifth inning. Syndergaard maintained the shutout by getting Nathaniel Lowe to ground out, and ended the inning striking out Andy Ibanez.

Brandon Marsh #16 of the Los Angeles Angels bats against starting pitcher Dane Dunning #33 of the Texas Rangers during the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, in Anaheim, on May 24, 2022 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

“He was unbelievable,” said Marsh of Syndergaard. “It was phenomenal. He was electric out there. The tempo was up and he threw strikes. It was super fun playing behind him.”

Offensively, the Angels blew the game open in the fourth inning, scoring four runs. Jared Walsh began the inning with a ground rule double to right center field, followed by Matt Duffy’s single.

Luis Rengifo grounded out to first, scoring Walsh and sending Duffy to second. Marsh then got on base with a fielder’s choice to the pitcher as Duffy scored the second run on a throwing error by shortstop Corey Seager.

Max Stassi then hit a ground rule double to left field, sending Marsh to third. Wade followed with a bunt to reach first base, scoring Marsh for the third run.

Andrew Velazquez hit an RBI with a sacrifice fly ball to left, scoring Stassi from third for a 4–0 lead.

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 24: Jared Walsh #20 of the Los Angeles Angels is congratulated by Mike Trout #27 and Max Stassi #33 after scoring a run against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 24, 2022 in Anaheim, California. Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Walsh followed in the fifth inning with a 383-foot home run to right field for a 5–0 lead; he was 2-for-4 on the day along with Mike Trout, Duffy, and Stassi.

In the seventh, Syndergaard began a 1-4-3 double play, stating, “I kind of surprised myself a little bit. I almost butchered it with the throw but [Luis] Rengifo really saved me there and was able to make a sick turn to complete the double play.”

Syndergaard gave up a leadoff homer to Jonah Heim in the eight inning, ending his shutout. He would close out the inning before two Angels relievers, Aaron Loup and Raisel Iglesias, closed out the game in the ninth inning.

L.A. and Texas match up again Wednesday in Anaheim Stadium at 6:38 p.m. PT, with Angels rookie LHP Reid Detmers (2–1, 4.15 ERA) facing Rangers RHP Glenn Otto (1–2, 5.55 ERA).