Los Angeles Angels Ervin Santana Throws Third No Hitter of the Season

The Los Angeles Angels Ervin Santana threw the first solo no-hitter for the Angels in

nearly 27 years Wednesday afternoon, as the Angels defeated the Cleveland Indians 3-1.

It was the first no-hitter at Progressive Field, since its opened as Jacobs Field back in 1994. It also was a complete role reversal for the 28-year-old Santana who made his major league debut on the very same field on May 17, 2005. The first four batters he faced in the majors teamed up to hit for the cycle as Grady Sizemore led off with a triple, Coco Crisp doubled, Travis Hafner singled and Ben Broussard homered.

Santana struck out 10 and allowed just 2 base-runners all game-there was an error on the leadoff batter in the first inning and a walk in the eighth. The Indians lone run came in the first inning off an error when the Angels starting short stop Erick Aybar booted a ball from Cleveland’s lead-off batter Ezequiel Carrera. Carrera then stole second base, advanced to third on a sac fly, and crossed home plate on a wild pitch by Santana.

It was the third no-hitter of the season as Santana joined the Tigers Justin Verlander and Minnesota’s Francisco Liriano. Prior to Wednesday’s contest Santana had 0-6 record and a 4.98 ERA in 10 career starts against Cleveland.

It was also the eight individual no-hitter in Angels history, and the first since Mike Witt’s perfect game at the end of the 1984 season. Santana joins Witt, Bo Belinsky, Clyde Wright and Nolan Ryan (four times) as Angels who have thrown no-hitters.