Tigers rookie flirts with no-hitter in win over Angels
ANAHEIM, Calif. — What a difference a day makes — or at least the starting pitcher.
A day after the Angels scored 11 runs on 17 hits, rookie right-hander Michael Fulmer took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and completed 7 2/3 dominant innings to lift the Detroit Tigers over Los Angeles 3-0 on Wednesday.
Fulmer did not allow a hit until C.J. Cron's broken-bat single on a 98 mph fastball with two outs in the seventh.
"A fastball up and away," Fulmer said. "He beat me with my best pitch, so hats off to him. But that didn't change anything. I still had to get the next guy out and put a zero up on the board. And that's what we did."
Fulmer (5-1) allowed two hits, struck out eight and walked two. He has won his past four decisions and been dominant in his past three starts (one run in 23 1/3 innings). He has a 3.24 ERA this season.
Fulmer was acquired last year prior to the trading deadline from the Mets for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus is trying to temper his excitement over Fulmer's recent success but couldn't help an impressive comparison.
"I don't want to put this kind of heat on Fulmer, because he's not there yet, but I kind of was thinking of (Roy) Oswalt's first year in the big leagues," said Ausmus, who caught Oswalt for eight seasons in Houston.
"It's the mentality — he's not intimidated by who's stepping into the batter's box. The environment doesn't seem to bother him. I just think it's his makeup — and he's got good stuff."
Fulmer was proficient, particularly early, needing only 26 pitches to get through the Angels' lineup the first time.
"He has a good arm," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He was really pitching efficient early, coming right after us, and we didn't get too many good looks at him."
Francisco Rodriguez got the final four outs for Detroit to record his 15th save.
The Tigers had 11 hits, including three from third baseman Nick Castellanos.
Matt Shoemaker (3-6) allowed two runs in seven innings while striking out eight for Los Angeles
Jose Iglesias doubled to lead off the fifth and scored on Ian Kinsler's single. In the sixth, Victor Martinez doubled and later scored on Jarrod Saltalamacchia's single.
Los Angeles had won nine consecutive games against the Tigers at Angel Stadium.
SANCHEZ IS OUT
Struggling right-hander Anibal Sanchez has lost his spot in the Tigers' rotation. Ausmus said he will initially be used in low-stress situations as a reliever.
All but two of Sanchez's 232 major league appearances have come as a starter, but he has a 6.67 ERA this season and has surrendered a baseball-high 14 home runs.
"He definitely could work his way back into the rotation," Ausmus said. "That's what I told him. We want him to get himself right (in the rotation) or become a valuable part of the bullpen."
RODRIGUEZ RETURNS
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez celebrates after the Tigers' 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday.
Rodriguez made his first appearance at Angel Stadium since leaving the Angels in 2008. That was the year he set their single-season saves record with 62.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: RHP Warwick Saupold was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right groin, and RHP Bobby Parnell was called up from Triple-A Toledo.
Angels: INF Cliff Pennington re-injured his left hamstring and was placed on the 15-day DL. He had just come off the DL on Saturday from the same injury. The Angels called up SS Brendan Ryan from Triple-A Salt Lake to replace him on the roster.
UP NEXT
Tigers: They return to Detroit to open a seven-game homestand Thursday. LHP Matt Boyd (0-0) will start in a makeup game against the Yankees.
Angels: Los Angeles is off Thursday before beginning a seven-game trip with three games in Pittsburgh. RHP Jered Weaver (4-4) is scheduled to start Friday in Pittsburgh.
