Game Recap: Angels vs. Rangers

After Reid Detmers threw his first no-hitter, Noah Syndergaard took to Instagram to flaunt his new team’s victory. Syndergaard’s post read: “This is what a “real’ no-hitter looks like”, a blatant dig at his former team’s recent combined no-hitter. 

Although Syndergaard talked a big game, unfortunately he was unable to pitch a good game against the Rangers. Syndergaard was on the mound for two-thirds of an inning, yet “Thor” gave up four runs. In the top of the first, the Angels were able to pull ahead by scoring three runs in one inning. This lead was short-lived once it was Syndergaard's turn to take the mound. The 6’6" former all-star took the mound, and after a single and a walk, Corey Seager was able to single off of the first pitch he saw from Syndergaard, which was an 88 MPH changeup. Seager’s single brought in Justin Heim to score. This was just the first of six runs that Syndergaard would give up.

For Rangers fans, Syndergaard's rough start made for an amusing inning. Syndergaard threw 42 pitches before being replaced by Jaime Barria. “​​I was wanting him to get through that first inning and it didn’t happen and then we had to do what we did. We knew we had a limited bullpen tonight so I was trying to hold off as well as we could,” Joe Maddon said regarding his decision to pull Syndergaard out of the game. 

The Rangers finished the bottom of the first with a 6-3 lead. Unfortunately, the Angels were unable to make a comeback and lost the game 7-4.  

Image Courtesy of Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today