On July 15, 1973, Nolan Ryan pitches his second no-hitter of the season, as the California Angels defeat the Detroit Tigers, 6-0. In the sixth inning, Tigers slugger Norm Cash comes to the plate with a piano leg, instead of a bat. Cash, who had struck out his first two times up, will pop out…
Before 41,411 in Detroit, California Angels ace Nolan Ryan hurls his second no-hitter of the season in taming the Detroit Tigers, 6 – 0. Ryan fans 17 batters, the most ever in a 9-inning no-hitter, including eight straight, but only one over the last two innings. Nolan’s arm stiffens while watching his team rally for five runs in the top of the 8th. With two outs in the 9th, Norm Cash, who struck out his three other times at bat, comes to bat wielding a piano leg. Umpire Ron Luciano points out the illegality and Cash then pops out using a regulation bat. Ryan’s eight strikeouts in a row ties the American League record he set last year.
California’s Nolan Ryan strikes out 12, including the side in the 1st, and hurls his first career no-hitter in beating Kansas City, 3 – 0. For C Jeff Torborg, it is his third no-hitter. SS Rudy Meoli preserves the no-no with a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch in the 8th. It is the first of a record seven no-hitters the “Ryan Express” will throw during his career, including another one in two months.
Richard Nixon becomes the first president to throw the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day in a contest held outside of Washington, D.C. The Commander in Chief does the honors before Nolan Ryan and the Angels beat the Royals at Anaheim Stadium, 3-2.
Mickey Lolich regains first place for the Tigers as he bests the Angels and Nolan Ryan, 2 – 0. It is Lolich’s 19th win.
On June 27, 1972 Nolan Ryan (8-5) triples and scores the go-ahead run in the 7th as California beats the Twins, 3 – 1. Poor baserunning in the 4th doesn’t help the Twins’ cause: with Harmon Killebrew on third base and Steve Braun on second with no outs, Jim Nettles flies out to Jim Spencer in left field. Killebrew fakes a dash to the plate and Braun…
Nolan Ryan becomes and Angel
1971 – Astros turn the first triple play in their history during a 9-4 victory over Nolan Ryan and the Mets . Shortstop Roger Metzger takes a tap by Cleon Jones and steps on second, forcing Tommie Agee. His toss to first beats Jones to the bag. First baseman Denis Menke sees Ken Boswell make a belated dash to third so he fires across the diamond where Doug Rader completes the trifecta.
1970 – Jim Wynn launches two homers off Nolan Ryan to pace a 9-5 thrashing of the Mets. Wynn totals four hits and drives in five. Denis Menke also goes deep twice. Don Wilson survives an early 3-0 deficit to gain the victory. Wynn tells the press that Ryan’s fastball is no match for his bat and backs it up.
Nolan Ryan strikes out 15 batters and pitches a one-hitter as the New York Mets defeat the Philadelphia Phillies, 7 – 0, at Shea Stadium. It is the first shutout of Ryan’s career.
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