Angels no-hitter history

MLB.com looks back at every no-hitter in Halos franchise history

May 11th, 2022

The Angels that perform miracles don’t only congregate in the outfield -- they're occasionally on the mound.

Since their incarnation as a franchise in 1961, the Halos have 12 no-hitters, including one perfect game, with Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan accounting for four of them.

MLB.com takes a look back at the no-hitters in Angels franchise history.

May 10, 2022: Reid Detmers

Angels 12, Rays 0

Making just his 11th Major League start, Reid Detmers became the 25th rookie to throw a no-hitter in the Angels' 12-0 win over the Rays at Angel Stadium.

Detmers, a 22-year-old left-hander who was the Angels' No. 1 pick in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Louisville, allowed a walk to Taylor Walls leading off the sixth inning and another Rays runner reached on an error by first baseman Jared Walsh in the seventh, but that was all.

It was the first no-hitter by a rookie since Arizona's Tyler Gilbert in a 7-0 win over the Padres on Aug. 14, 2021.

July 12, 2019: Taylor Cole (2 innings), Felix Pena (7 innings)

Angels 13, Mariners 0

In an incredibly emotional game, the first at home after the tragic passing of Tyler Skaggs, the Angels jumped out to a big lead behind Mike Trout's homer, two doubles and six RBIs. But as the evening went on, it became clear that another special development was unfolding: a combined no-hitter.

Taylor Cole was the opener against Seattle, and tossed two perfect innings with a pair of strikeouts. He gave way to Felix Pena, who came in and was dominant for the remaining seven frames, walking one and striking out six. He finished off the combined no-no by getting Mallex Smith to ground out to second.

Following the final out, an emotional Angels squad gathered together and each player took the jersey off his back -- each with the name "Skaggs" and the number 45 -- and placed it on the mound, along with a painting of Skaggs in front of the famed cornfields from "Field of Dreams."

May 2, 2012: Jered Weaver

Angels 9, Twins 0

In his only no-hitter, Weaver allowed two baserunners -- one on a passed ball on a strikeout and another on a walk -- while striking out nine.

“It’s so surreal,” Weaver told reporters after the game. "It was awesome to have my parents here, my wife and knowing my brother was watching [on television] and had so many friends watching."

Weaver went 20-5 with a 2.81 ERA that season, finishing third in American League Cy Young Award voting. He was also selected to participate in the third and final All-Star Game of his 12-year career.

July 27, 2011: Ervin Santana

Angels 3, Indians 1

Santana struck out 10 and threw 105 pitches in the first no-hitter at Progressive Field, which opened in 1994. Santana’s Major League debut was at that park in 2005, when he was greeted far differently, giving up a cycle to the first four batters he faced. Santana was 0-6 with a 4.98 ERA in 10 outings against the Indians heading into this game.

"I never get a win against this team," Santana told reporters after the game. "I've been pitching good against them. I just didn't have any luck, but I got it today.”

Santana allowed two baserunners, cruising after an error to the leadoff man in the first inning to retire the next 22 batters. He walked a runner in the eighth before retiring the last five batters.

Santana finished that season 11-12 with a 3.38 ERA.

April 11, 1990: Mark Langston (7 innings), Mike Witt (2 innings)
Angels 1, Mariners 0

On a chilly April night at Anaheim Stadium, Langston pitched the first seven innings and Witt the last two to notch the earliest calendar date for a no-hitter in franchise history. It was Langston’s first start for the Angels after signing a $16 million deal in the offseason. It was Witt’s first relief appearance since 1983.

Langston finished that season 10-17 with a 4.40 ERA. Witt made 10 relief appearances, going 0-3 with a 1.77 ERA, before being traded to the Yankees midseason.

Sept. 30, 1984: Mike Witt
Angels 1, Rangers 0 (perfect game)

The 11th perfect game in MLB history occurred in the last game of the season, with the Angels and Rangers well out of playoff contention. Witt struck out 10 at Arlington Stadium, mowing down the Rangers with his overpowering fastball-curveball combination. The game took only one hour, 49 minutes to complete.

“It probably won’t be until tomorrow and the next day, and every day this winter, that I’ll be saying to myself, 'Hey, I did that,'” Witt said after the game. “I mean, to get 27 straight batters out is unbelievable. For me to be able to say it is unbelievable.”

Witt was 15-11 with a 3.47 ERA that season.

June 1, 1975: Nolan Ryan
Angels 1, Orioles 0

The last of the four no-hitters Ryan threw for the Halos was no mere formality. One particular jam in the top of the seventh inning could have blown the game wide open, when, after a walk and an error, runners were on second and third with two outs and the Angels up, 1-0. Ryan induced Elrod Hendricks to fly out, ending the threat.

Ryan walked four and struck out nine.

Ryan finished that season 14-12 with a 3.45 ERA, making his third of eight career All-Star appearances.

September 28. 1974: Nolan Ryan
Angels 4, Twins 0

In the third of Ryan’s four no-hitters with the Angels, he set a franchise record that still stands: the most baserunners allowed during a no-hitter, with eight -- all on walks.

“I knew this would probably be my last start of the season,” Ryan said to reporters after the game. "I said to [catcher] Tom Egan, ‘I think I’ll let it all hang out. What do I have to lose?’”

Ryan struck out 15 with his deadly fastball-curveball combination, laboring through 158 pitches.

He finished the 1974 season 22-16 with a 2.89 ERA, good for third in AL Cy Young Award voting and 14th in MVP voting.

July 15, 1973: Nolan Ryan
Angels 6, Tigers 0

The second of Ryan’s seven career no-hitters took place at the old Tiger Stadium. It was Ryan's second no-hitter of the season. Ryan struck out 17 and was so unhittable that the Tigers’ Norm Cash brought the leg of a table out to the plate in lieu of a bat when he came up with two outs in the ninth inning. When he was told by the umpire that he couldn’t use that to hit, Cash reportedly said, “Why not? I won’t hit him anyway.” Cash proceeded to pop out to shortstop to complete the no-hitter.

Ryan’s performance in this game helped change All-Star rules on roster size. Despite leading the league in strikeouts, Ryan was left off the AL All-Star roster by Oakland A’s manager Dick Williams. MLB decided to expand All-Star rosters from 28 players to 29, so Ryan could be included.

May 15, 1973: Nolan Ryan
Angels 3, Royals 0

This was the first of seven career no-hitters for The Ryan Express. Before the game, Ryan felt he didn’t have his best stuff.

“In the bullpen [warming up], I was terrible,” Ryan told reporters after the game.

Ryan threw 12 strikeouts against the AL’s second-highest-scoring team. Ryan needed a defensive gem from rookie shortstop Rudy Meoli, who made an impressive over-the-shoulder catch in the eighth inning with a runner on first to end the frame. Ryan then got the next three batters in order to secure his first career no-no. Ryan finished that season 21-16 with a 2.87 ERA, finishing second in Cy Young Award voting and earning his second career appearance in the All-Star Game.

July 3, 1970: Clyde Wright
Angels 4, Athletics 0

Wright’s no-hitter took place mere hours after he was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame during a pregame ceremony. The left-hander walked three and struck out only one batter, but his screwball baffled the high-powered A’s.

"It may have been the most boring no-hitter ever pitched,” said teammate Ken McMullen, who hit a three-run home run in the 4-0 victory. "Basically, he had this real good screwball that everyone tried to pull.”

Wright needed his defense, as 26 of the 27 batters put the ball into play.

It was the first no-hitter thrown at Anaheim Stadium. Wright finished that season 22-12 with a 2.83 ERA, earning his only All-Star Game appearance and finishing sixth in Cy Young Award voting.

May 5, 1962: Bo Belinsky
Angels 2, Orioles 0

Belinsky threw the Angels' first no-hitter in the franchise's second year of existence. It was the first no-hitter in the state of California.

The lefty used his fastball and screwball combination to strike out nine Orioles at Dodger Stadium in the stadium’s inaugural season, where the Angels shared home games with the Dodgers from 1962 to 1965.

It was Belinsky's rookie year -- he finished it with a 10-11 record and a 3.56 ERA.