Posted on 05/02/2012 10:19:44 PM PDT by Hunton Peck
ANAHEIM -- The Angels' offense finally kicked into gear in the series finale against the Twins, but that wasn't even close to being the story.
On Wednesday night, it was all about Jered Weaver, the ace pitcher who recorded his first no-hitter and the ninth individual no-hitter in Angels history, leading his club to a 9-0 victory that gave them the sweep and three straight wins for the first time this year.
Weaver came in having given up just three runs in his last 21 2/3 innings. And prior to a two-out, seventh-inning walk to Josh Willingham, the only baserunner he had allowed came on a strikeout-passed ball by catcher Chris Iannetta.
ANGELIC NO-HITTERS No-hitters by Angels pitchers since the club's inception in 1961 PITCHER(S) OPP. DATE SCORE Bo Belinsky Orioles May 5, 1962 2-0 Clyde Wright A's July 3, 1970 4-0 Nolan Ryan Royals May 15, 1973 3-0 Nolan Ryan Tigers July 15, 1973 6-0 Nolan Ryan Twins Sept. 28, 1974 4-0 Nolan Ryan Orioles June 1, 1975 1-0 Mike Witt Rangers Sept. 30, 1984 1-0* M. Langston/Witt Mariners Apr. 11, 1990 1-0 Ervin Santana Indians July 27, 2011 3-1 Jered Weaver Twins May 2, 2012 9-0 * Perfect game
"This is an unbelievable moment for me and the fans," Weaver said. "I never dreamed this would happen. What a feeling."
Against a Twins starting lineup that had five hitters batting under .260, and was shut out on three hits by Jerome Williams the night before, Weaver struck out nine, walked one and started out ahead on 16 of the hitters he faced. Twelve of his outs were lazy flyouts, five of his outs were weak grounders and only one -- on a Trevor Plouffe ball Torii Hunter made a running catch on in right field -- was a line drive.
"I don't think you ever think you have a shot," Weaver said. "But as soon as the fourth, fifth, sixth rolls around, you see that goose egg up there and you want to see if you can do it. A lot of things need to go your way and that happened tonight."
Weaver's no-hitter was the second of the year, following the April 21 perfect game by White Sox righty Phil Humber, and the 11th in baseball since the start of the 2010 season.
He becomes the second member of the Angels' current rotation to throw one, joining Ervin Santana, who got his against the Indians on July 27 of last year.
Offensively, the Angels gave him plenty of run support.
With one out in the third inning, Twins starter Liam Hendriks was already out of the game -- the shortest an opposing starter had lasted this season. And by the end of the fourth, the Angels had already tied their season high in runs (nine) and hits (13), with the other time also coming against the Twins.
Howie Kendrick (four hits and three RBIs) and Kendrys Morales (a triple short of the cycle) each homered, Erick Aybar knocked in his second run since April 9, Peter Bourjos had his first RBI since April 17 and the Angels topped four runs and got double-digit hits for the first time since April 21.
Weaver didn't need that much, though.
After issuing that seventh-inning walk, he got Ryan Doumit to fly out to center field to end the seventh, then walked into the dugout to a standing ovation, 98 pitches under his belt and six outs to go.
In the eighth, he got three lazy flyouts.
Then, with two outs in the ninth, on the very first pitch, he got Alexi Casilla fly out near the warning track in right field, causing a standing ovation and a mob near home plate.
was an absolute kick A** game to watch
Lucky you! Would have loved to see it!
CONGRATS JERED!! Longtime Angels fan, happy to see this happen. The Angels have been struggling, even though we got Pujols we still have been struggling so this will hopefully give the team a much needed boost
In football, the struggles are between Vikings, Rams, Bears, and Raiders; In baseball, games involve Twins, Angels, Cubs, and a couple of teams named after the color of their socks.
I LOVE the ANGELS!!!! This will be the week that gets the team going and sets the stage for another WORLD SERIES TITLE!!!
Anytime you add your name to a list that includes Nolan Ryan (3 times) you’ve done well.
4 times. Oops.
I wish I had been there in person, just watch it on TV
I hope so..they have been struggling so much, I hope this will be a starting point for them going on a HUGE run..remember, we have the POWER of the RALLY MONKEY on our side!!
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