L.A. Angels pitcher Ervin Santana has a reason to celebrate tonight. Against the dwindling Cleveland Indians, Santana threw a no-hitter that was the first in 27 years for the Angels.
Santana, who has a 6-8 record, battled the entire game and ended up with a 3-1 win over the Indians, striking out ten and allow two runners. This was also the first no-hitter at Progressive Field, a ballpark that was first named Jacobs Field when it opened in 1994.
The last no-hitter for the Angels came from Mike Witt on Sept. 30, 1984 so this feat was long overdue.
Santana knew the no-hitter was in reach after reaching the 8th inning. “Lots of guys get to five, six innings, but that’s when things get a little complicated,” Santana said.
This was the third no-hitter in the majors this season. Minnesota’s Francisco Liriano did it against the Chicago White Sox on May 3 and Detroit ace Justin Verlander beat Toronto on May 7.
Santana threw the no-hitter on the same field he made his major league debut on and the outcome was much different. In his first game, the Cleveland Indians’ first four batters hit for the cycle against him so today’s no-hitter was also sweet revenge.
When asked about that outing, Santana gave a smile and said, “It’s part of life,” he said. “We’re here today, we don’t know tomorrow.”