Davis Daniel pitched eight innings of four-hit ball and struck out eight in his first MLB start as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Detroit Tigers 5-0 on Thursday night. It was the Angels’ fourth consecutive win.
“I didn’t sleep great. It felt like Christmas morning,” Daniel said. “Once I got to the park, I felt like I calmed down and everything felt good.”
Luis Rengifo hit a two-run home run and now leads the American League in batting average. Miguel Sanó and Willie Calhoun also hit home runs for the Angels, who matched their longest winning streak of the season.
Daniel had previously appeared in three relief outings for the Angels last season, going 1-1. In his 2024 debut, the right-hander did not issue any walks and retired 10 consecutive batters from the fourth inning through the seventh. He threw 98 pitches, with 66 strikes, and started 22 of the 26 batters he faced with a strike.
“He barely broke a sweat. He worked fast, threw strikes, and changed speeds. That was the key,” said Angels manager Ron Washington. “It was outstanding. I don’t think you could have scripted it any better.”
The last MLB pitcher to throw at least eight scoreless innings with eight strikeouts or more in his first career start was Jason Jennings for the Colorado Rockies in August 2001 against the New York Mets.
Daniel, who had a 5-4 record and a 5.33 ERA in 14 starts for Triple-A Salt Lake before being called up, took the spot in the rotation previously held by Patrick Sandoval. Sandoval underwent season-ending surgery after tearing the UCL in his left elbow during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
