Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts allowed Tyler Anderson to throw 123 pitches while attempting to finish off a no-hitter against the L.A. Angels on June 15, and he would’ve let his starter go even longer.
However, Anderson’s chance at history was ultimately broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a triple from Shohei Ohtani, and Roberts called on Craig Kimbrel to pitch the final two outs of the Freeway Series finale. Anderson started the ninth inning at 117 pitches on the night, but Roberts felt it was important to allow the southpaw an opportunity to try to finish his no-hitter.
“I know I’ve got this reputation as the Grim Reaper, but I’m a sports fan too,” Roberts said. “I really felt I wanted that just as much as Tyler and his teammates wanted that for him.”
But now, MLB made a scoring change that effectively ended Anderson’s bid for a no-hitter a few innings earlier.
Jared Walsh was credited with a hit on his swinging bunt in the seventh inning that Anderson fielded before throwing the ball into the ground and watching it role to the outfield. The play was switched from Walsh reaching on an error to a single and advancing to second base on Anderson’s throwing error.
It’s unlikely MLB would have made the scoring change had Anderson completed the no-hitter, but it is still a curious decision and one that if made earlier, would have prevented the veteran left-hander from setting a career-high in pitches.
Anderson’s line now stands at 8.1 innings pitched, two hits, one run, two walks and eight strikeouts.
Anderson loved Mookie Betts’ effort during no-hit bid
Anderson entered the ninth inning tasked with facing Mike Trout and Ohtani to keep the no-hitter intact. The 32-year-old struck out Trout on five pitches, but on the first pitch he threw to Ohtani, the two-way superstar lined the ball into the right-field corner while Mookie Betts raced over.
As the ball was close to landing, Betts made a diving effort to save the no-hitter but was a few feet short of reaching the ball.
Anderson appreciated the effort Betts made to keep it alive, although he also found some humor in the attempt.
“You love it,” Anderson said about Betts’ diving attempt. “Obviously off the bat, you know it’s a hit, but you love the effort from Mookie. You can’t ask for anything more than that. He is a great defender, a great teammate. He’s the man.
“I kind of laughed that he dove for it. Like it’s a very nice gesture, but it was so far away.”
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