Angels' Reid Detmers discovers pitch control, continues dominating Rangers

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

Angels' Reid Detmers discovers pitch control, continues dominating Rangers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

With one out in the sixth inning Sunday night at Angel Stadium, Los Angeles Angels pitcher Reid Detmers puzzled Michael Helman. The Texas Rangers' center fielder struck out on three pitches, the finale coming on an 86-mph slider that appeared out of the strike zone.

Detmers wasn't finished showing off his newfound pitch control.

Following a first-pitch ball, Detmers collected his 10th strikeout in the first 19 batters he faced, inducing Kyle Higashioka to whiff on his next three offerings, ending with an 86-mph slider.

The score remained tied, 1-1.

With one out in the seventh, Detmers followed a similar pattern, ending the inning with consecutive strikeouts.

Brandon Nimmo went down looking on a 94-mph four-seam fastball, while Justin Foscue went down swinging on an 84-mph slider, registering his 12th strikeout in 22 chances.

Sunday night's outing was nothing new for Detmers against the Rangers.

Angels' Reid Detmers controls Rangers -- again​

If only Detmers, who entered Sunday with a 5.07 earned-run average, could face the Rangers more often. Against the Rangers' current roster, Detmers yielded a .118 batting average, surrendering just six hits in 51 at-bats. He also registered a 41.8 percent strikeout rate.

Detmers needed a solid outing. During his previous start on Tuesday, Detmer, who had dropped three consecutive decisions, allowed eight earned runs on eight hits in a loss to the visiting Athletics. He struggled with location during a May 8 start against the host Toronto Blue Jays, walking six in 3.2 innings.

In 2025, Detmers was used out of the bullpen, making 61 relief appearances and posting a 3.96 ERA, but he was credited with five blown saves.

Solidifying his best start this season, Detmers opened the eighth inning with strikeouts of Ezequiel Duran and Danny Jansen, before getting Sam Haggerty to ground out.

After surrendering a second-inning home run to Jake Burger, Detmer retired the final 21 batters he faced, finishing with 14 strikeouts. He faced one batter over the minimum.

Detmer departed with the game tied in the ninth inning.

More MLB news:​

• Phillies' $20M offseason saga regret over Nick Castellanos extending into summer
• Reds thankful, Athletics regret non-tendering JJ Bleday
• Blanked by Astros' Kai-Wei Teng, Cubs fail to score on starting pitcher for fourth straight game
• Dinged but dominant: Padres' Mason Miller proving human, facing more patient opponents

Continue reading...