It was simply meant to be.
The Los Angeles Angels’ pitching staff combined to no-hit the Seattle Mariners in a 13-0 win on Friday night, the same night they paid respect to Tyler Skaggs in their first home game since his death.
Before the game, the Angels paid tribute to Skaggs with a pregame ceremony. The ceremony included Skaggs’ mother throwing out the first pitch, and 45 seconds of silence to match Skaggs’ jersey number. The stadium had new signage commemorating the late pitcher, who died on July 1 while the team was in Texas for their series against the Rangers. Every Angels player wore a jersey with No. 45 on the back and Skaggs’ last name.
Then the game started.
The Angels scored seven runs in the first to grab a huge lead and added two more in the second to go up 9-0. Taylor Cole opened the game with two perfect innings. Felix Pena finished it off with seven hitless innings to complete the no-hitter. He only allowed a walk in the fifth.
This was the 11th no-hitter in Angels history, and by far the most meaningful.
After the game ended, every single Angels player went to the mound and took off his jersey and laid it down on the mound for Skaggs.
Gone but never forgotten
#45 | @Angels pic.twitter.com/0R3c3g7DYh
— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) July 13, 2019
No words. #45 pic.twitter.com/MmytNT6cW4
— Eric Kay (@EKay2121) July 13, 2019
This was one of the best sports moments I’ve seen in a long time. It gave me chills all over.
