Noah Syndergaard pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning in a strong Angels debut, narrowly outdueling Justin Verlander in Los Angeles' 2-0 victory over the Houston Astros. Astros HTX KPRC2
Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, April 9, 2022. – Noah Syndergaard and Justin Verlander spent most of the past two years working toward Saturday night, when their journeys back from Tommy John surgery coincidentally converged at Angel Stadium.
Mike Trout and Jared Walsh homered in the Angels' first victory of the season. The Halos held defending AL champion Houston to two hits, with Raisel Iglesias' save capping 3 2/3 hitless innings from the bullpen. It’s also the number worn by Nick Adenhart, the promising Angels starter killed by a drunk driver a few hours after throwing six shutout innings at the Big A exactly 13 years ago Saturday. Syndergaard got the blessing of Adenhart’s family to wear the number, which hadn’t been worn by an Angels player since.
“It's a long road, man,” Verlander said. “Lots of nervousness and anxiousness leading up to it. Felt like my debut. Got some things to work on, but coming out of it feeling pretty good.”Syndergaard was limited to two one-inning appearances — both late last year — for New York over the past two seasons while working his way back from surgery. He signed a one-year, $21 million deal with Los Angeles and emerged from spring training with a healthy arm and a determination to show he's back.