Tyler Anderson has been nothing short of a revelation in his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the impressive showing nearly grew to include a no-hitter in the finale of the Freeway Series.
Anderson held the Los Angeles Angels without a hit until Shohei Ohtani’s one-out triple in the ninth inning, which marked the end of his night at a career-high 123 pitches. His previous career high was 109 pitches, and the most Anderson had previously thrown this season was 101.
That he was left in the game to pursue MLB history came as a mild surprise considering Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ decision-making in such situations, current state of the rotation, and the fact that Anderson on several occasions was seen shaking and rubbing his left arm and shoulder.
“I feel good physically,” Anderson asserted after his start. “I’ve told him I’m always doing something. And I told him before. Think they were just being cautious.”
Anderson first began shaking his left wrist and arm during the fifth inning and he later appeared to tell Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior and a trainer there wasn’t any issue while sitting in the dugout.
“That’s something that I kind of addressed a few starts ago earlier this season,” manager Dave Roberts said of Anderson’s tendency to give some attention to his left shoulder and arm. “I got that clear, so I wasn’t really too concerned about that (Wednesday night).”
Anderson does have a history of injuries, which he believes plays a part in being somewhat restless in the dugout.
“I feel like I’ve been healthy now for a couple of years and that’s probably why you’ll see me doing stuff like that on the bench,” he said. “Like where I’m playing with something or you know trying to massage something or work on something.
“I think after you face a lot of injuries you kind of are hypersensitive to your body. But you know, I feel like in general I’ve had a lot of good help and we have a great medical staff here as well. Just get you out there every day feeling your best.”
Anderson appreciative of Roberts’ trust in no-hit bid
Roberts detailed numerous factors lent to leaving Anderson in the game despite a soaring pitch count, including a short start his last time out and being in line for extra rest before the next turn in the rotation.
The opportunity to complete a first career no-hitter was one Anderson appreciates Roberts affording him.
“You can’t say enough about that,” the 32-year-old said. “You may never have a chance to do that again. In however many years of pitching, I’ve taken some (no-hitters) into the fifth or sixth, maybe some in the seventh before.
“But getting through eight, you want to just give it a chance. We got some off days coming up here in between so you have a chance to go out and at least try.”
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