Los Angeles Angels pitchers Taylor Cole and Felix Pena threw a combined no-hitter Friday night against the Seattle Mariners, on the eve of what would have been Tyler Skaggs’ 28th birthday.
Skaggs’ mother, Debbie, took his place on the mound surrounded by his wife, Carli, his stepfather and stepbrother, to toss the game’s ceremonial first pitch in what was the Angels’ first home game since the pitcher died July 1.
Major League Baseball said Debbie tossed a “perfect strike.”
From the first pitch to the last pitch, we're nasty. pic.twitter.com/qcp1El3vFQ
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 13, 2019
“It was unbelievable,” Cole told MLB. “She went out there and threw an absolute perfect pitch. It couldn’t have been better. … It set the tone for the rest of the way.”
Every Angels player wore Skaggs’ No. 45 jersey Friday night and they gave a heartfelt pregame tribute to their fallen teammate.
— MLB (@MLB) July 13, 2019
After the 13-0 shutout victory, Skaggs’ teammates placed their jerseys on the mound displaying a sea of 45.
A no-no just hours before what would have been Tyler Skaggs' 28th birthday.
You can't script this. For Tyler. pic.twitter.com/wxiXIsYlfE
— MLB (@MLB) July 13, 2019
Goodnight. #TheHaloWay
? » https://t.co/MWmBSYDm36 pic.twitter.com/0nyB3rZB6t
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 13, 2019
Friday’s no-hitter was the 11th in Angels franchise history and second combined no-no.
