Angels nearly get no-hitter from bullpen, beat Rangers 1-0
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - The Angels turned a bullpen game into a near no-hitter.
Blake Parker gave up Isiah Kiner-Falefa's single to right with one out in the eighth inning to end Los Angeles' no-hit bid in a 1-0 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night.
Jose Fernandez hit his first career home run for the Angels in the second inning, adding another milestone to the 30-year-old Cuban's rookie season after making his major league debut June 8.
The Angels' starting rotation was decimated by injuries this season, paving the way for what was the fifth bullpen game of the season. Jim Johnson made his second career start and pitched 1 1/3 innings. He was followed by Noe Ramirez, Hansel Robles, Cam Bedrosian, Justin Anderson and Jose Alvarez, who combined to get through seven innings without giving up a hit.
Parker found difficulty in the eighth. After Kiner-Falefa's single to break up the bid, he got pinch hitter Ronald Gumzan to fly out to left field, then allowed a sharp single by Rougned Odor. Scioscia opted to change pitchers.
As he walked off the mound, Parker looked to the sky and smacked his hand lightly in his glove in obvious disappointment he wasn't able to keep the no-hitter going.
Ramirez (5-5) got the win, and Ty Buttrey earned the save.
Adrian Sampson (0-1) made his first start for the Rangers this season and second career start. His last previous start was with Seattle in 2016, but his career went off track when warming up for what was supposed to be his second start with the Mariners. He was injured, had to have surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon and worked his way back.
Sampson allowed Fernandez's homer among two hits in five innings.
Fernandez got the silent treatment from his teammates when he walked through the dugout, arms outstretched looking for teammates to high-five. When he got to the end of the dugout, Mike Trout splashed him in the face with a cup of water.
Jered Weaver threw the last no-hitter for the Angels on May 2, 2012 against Minnesota.
Catcher Joe Hudson made his first career start for the Angels and almost caught a no-hitter.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: RHP Nick Tropeano (right shoulder inflammation) will have a plate-rich plasma injection Friday and after 10 days begin his rehab program. He will not return this season.
UP NEXT
Rangers: RHP Yovani Gallardo (8-4, 6.22 ERA) is 1-3 over his last five starts after a 7-1 stretch before that. He faced the Angels once this year, allowing two runs on six hits in six innings but was not involved in the decision of the Rangers' 4-2 win Aug. 19.
Angels: RHP Felix Pena (2-4, 4.04 ERA) got the win in his last start Friday after allowing two runs in seven innings with six strikeouts and no walks in Chicago He makes his first career appearance against the Rangers and 15th start of the season.
