Anthony Rendon’s time in Los Angeles hasn’t gone as well as expected, as the former Nationals third baseman has dealt with injuries and seen his performance take a dip.
But two of his best moments in an Angels uniform have come in the past three days. Two days after hitting a walk-off single to beat his former team, Rendon on Tuesday night amazed baseball fans and went viral for a less anticipated hit.
Rendon, a right-handed hitter, stepped up to the plate in the eighth inning against the Rays to hit left-handed — something he’d never done before in his professional career. The Angels were winning 10-0, and the Rays had already thrown in the towel by bringing in position player Brett Phillips to pitch.
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On the second pitch of the at-bat, Rendon ripped a 54 mph “fastball” over the right-center field wall. The video quickly went viral as fans were shocked by Rendon’s left-handed hitting ability, albeit off what was essentially a batting practice pitch.
Anthony Rendon with a lefty homer!!
— MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2022
This game is MADNESS. pic.twitter.com/MXW56xuKgs
But Rendon’s smash was far from the only rare feat Angels fans witnessed on Tuesday. Rookie southpaw Reid Detmers threw a no-hitter for Los Angeles in the Angels’ 12-0 win over the Rays.
At 22 years old, he is the youngest pitcher to toss a no-no since Anibal Sanchez in 2006 for the Marlins.
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