MIAMI — Tyler Anderson delivered exactly what the Angels needed.
The left-hander pitched seven scoreless innings in a 3-1 victory over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night, saving the Angels on a night when most of their relievers needed a rest.
No Angels starter had gotten an out in the sixth inning through the first four games. On Monday, the Angels needed five relievers to get through six innings.
They could have made a roster move to bring in a fresh reliever, as insurance in case Anderson got knocked out early, but they instead took their chances.
Anderson did the job, pitching his best game since signing a three-year, $39 million deal with the Angels prior to the 2023 season. He had a 5.43 ERA last season.
Anderson threw 59 strikes among his 83 pitches, with just two walks and five strikeouts. Anderson started the game by pitching a perfect first on seven pitches, all strikes.
He threw a first pitch strike to 69% of the hitters he faced, which was the highest percentage for any of the Angels starters through the first five games. (The major league average is 60%.)
Anderson mostly cruised through the Marlins’ lineup, although he caught one break to get out of a jam.
In the third inning, the Marlins had runners at first and second base with one out. Both runners were going on the pitch as Avisail Garcia hit a fly ball to center field. Jazz Chisholm Jr. had already touched third when he turned to go back to second, but he failed to retouch third. When the Angels threw the ball to third, Chisholm was called out, ending the inning.
In the sixth, shortstop Zach Neto helped save Anderson by making a spectacular diving stop of a Josh Bell grounder. Neto hopped to his feet and fired a strong throw, in time to get Bell.
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Neto, a Miami native playing in front of more than 100 friends and family members, had just sparked the Angels’ two-run rally in the top of the inning with a double.
He went to third on an Anthony Rendon fly ball and then scored on single from Aaron Hicks, who also produced the game’s first run with a fourth inning homer.
Mike Trout and Taylor Ward followed with consecutive singles to produce another run, pushing the lead to 3-0.
Left-hander Matt Moore pitched a perfect eighth and then right-hander Luis Garcia worked the ninth, allowing a run on a Bryan De La Cruz homer before finishing off the save. Closer Carlos Estévez had pitched in the previous two games.
More to come on this story.
