When adversity strikes, one of the best things a team can do is respond on the playing surface. On Friday night, the Los Angeles Angels did just that in their first home game since the passing of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.
Skaggs was found unresponsive in his hotel room on July 1st and was later pronounced dead on the scene. More than 10 days later, the team properly honoured their pitcher in a number of ways including having his mother Debbie throw out the first pitch and players wear his #45 jersey. But the team delivered in its biggest way on the diamond, miraculously combining for a no-hitter in a 13-0 home win against the Seattle Mariners. Superstar Mike Trout led the way, going 3-4 with 6 RBI and a monstrous home run off of the first pitch he saw. After the game, the 27-year-old was interviewed about the performance and was visibly emotional.
Here’s a look at the rest of the interview:
The Angels used just two pitchers in the contest with Felix Pena going seven innings with six strikeouts and Taylor Cole striking out two over two innings. The moment the team completed the win was something sports fans just couldn’t make up.
To top everything off, it turns out Friday night’s date had some extra significance. Per SportsCenter, the Angels’ combined no-hitter was the first in the state of California since July 13, 1991… which also happens to be Skaggs’ birthday.
Goosebumps.
The Angels made their way to .500 on the season with the win but at the end of the day, this one was obviously about more than just baseball.
(H/T MLB Network)
