Detmers solid in bounceback start as Deadline grows closer

ANAHEIM -- After scuffling over his final four starts heading into the All-Star break, lefty Reid Detmers bounced back with a strong showing against the Tigers in the first game of the second half.

Detmers had allowed five runs in three of his past four outings and had a 7.40 ERA over that stretch, but threw six scoreless innings in a tough 2-1 loss in the series opener on Friday night at Angel Stadium.

It was an impressive start for Detmers, who is a potential trade candidate for the Angels with the Trade Deadline looming on Aug. 3. But it was marred by veteran closer and fellow potential trade candidate Kirby Yates, who blew a one-run lead by surrendering a go-ahead two-run double to Hao-Yu Lee with two outs in the ninth.

“It seems like whenever I get into a situation where the game is tight, I let the leadoff hitter get on and it's been killing me," said Yates, who has a 3.74 ERA with three blown saves in six chances. "I didn't throw the ball very well, but I made critical pitches towards the end to get a couple of outs but couldn’t get that last one.”

Detmers, though, had solid command against Detroit, as he struck out seven without issuing a walk and scattered four hits. He lowered his ERA to 4.16 in 20 starts with strong peripheral stats, including 130 strikeouts, 35 walks and 12 homers allowed in 114 2/3 innings.

It’s why Detmers has found himself as a trade target for clubs looking for a starting pitcher. The 27-year-old also remains under team control through 2028, so the Angels would be looking for a haul in return if he’s moved at the Trade Deadline. It’s a similar situation with right-hander José Soriano, who also isn't a free agent until ‘29 and has posted a 3.49 ERA in 20 starts with 115 strikeouts and 53 walks in 111 innings.

But Detmers said he’s doing his best to try to block it all out and just focus on what he can control.

“I try not to think about it,” Detmers said. “It's obviously pretty hard to try to ignore, but at the same time, it is what it is. Like, there's not a whole lot I can do. Right now, I'm here and my focus is on being here and helping the team win.”

Interim general manager John Mozeliak will have to determine how aggressive the Angels will be after he was brought in to replace Perry Minasian in late June. The Draft just wrapped up last week, and first-rounder Jared Grindlinger was at the ballpark to sign his contract and take batting practice before Friday’s game. But now Mozeliak’s focus will shift to the upcoming Deadline.

Detmers boosted his value with his effort against the Tigers, as he looked mostly dominant and found himself in two just minor jams. He gave up a two-out double to Riley Greene in the fourth but struck out Eduardo Valencia to get out of the inning, then surrendered a one-out double to Ben Malgeri in the fifth but struck out Zach McKinstry and got Matt Vierling to fly out to left to escape trouble.

“It felt like everything was working, to be honest with you, which was nice,” Detmers said. “That hasn't happened in a while, but it was good just to get back out there. I had a couple days off and was able to clear the head a little bit, and obviously let the body recover a little bit.”

He was also efficient, as he needed 86 pitches to record 18 outs and threw first-pitch strikes to 15 of the 22 batters he faced. But he was removed in favor of right-handed reliever Ryan Zeferjahn in the seventh.

Manager Kurt Suzuki said they believed they saw enough from Detmers after six innings, although Detmers said he believed he still had plenty left in the tank.

“Sending him out with 86 pitches, we felt like he threw the ball well coming off the break,” Suzuki said. “He hadn’t had a good start in a few starts. He struggled a little bit, so to have him go six shutout, coming off the break, we felt like it was good for him.”

Suzuki added they went with Yates in the ninth because he had been pitching better recently.

“He’s been throwing the ball good lately,” Suzuki said. “He closed that game in Minnesota. I know it was a tight one, but he closed that game out. We just felt like he was throwing the ball well and it lined up.”