To coin a phrase used and made popular in television commercials back in the late seventies, “Thanks, I (we) needed that.”

With as good as he has been thus far this season, 32-year-old Dodgers left-hander Tyler Anderson taking a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Angels of Anaheim wasn’t the biggest surprise on Wednesday night at a sold-out Dodger Stadium. No, the real surprise was Dodgers manager Dave Roberts letting him; for which the 50,812 at the Ravine and the thousands (or perhaps millions) watching on television or listening or radio greatly appreciated.

It’s no secret that Roberts has been overly-protective of his pitching staff, especially his starters, for which some are grateful. But it’s safe to say that there are far more who are not and have been openly critical of the (now) eight-year Dodgers skipper’s quick hook.

Anderson took his no-no into the top of the ninth inning when, on his incredible 123rd pitch of the night, he gave up a one-out triple to one of the best hitters in all of baseball – 27-year-old Angels pitcher / designated hitter Oshu, Japan native Shohei Ohtani – in the game’s final frame.

“I look at each individual situation, and I know I’ve got this reputation as the Grim Reaper, but I’m a sports fan, too,” Roberts told reporters postgame. “And I really felt I wanted that just as much as Tyler and his teammates wanted that for him. I thought he earned it.

“This is the Dodgers. It’s Dodger Stadium. It’s the Freeway Series. It’s Trout, Ohtani, and you’ve got Tyler Anderson here with an opportunity to take a no-hitter into the ninth inning with 50,000 people. You talk about odds. That’s a special moment,” Roberts added.

Indeed it was.

With one out in the ninth, Ohtani roped a line drive into the right-field corner that Dodgers perennial All-Star right fielder Mookie Betts made an all-out dive for, on a ball which, quite frankly, was absolutely impossible to catch. Ohtani would score one batter later when Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel gave up a single to Angels third baseman Matt Duffy in the NL West first-place Dodgers’ 4-1 win over the AL West third-place Angels.

“You love the effort from Mookie,” Anderson said of Betts’ attempt to preserve his no-hitter. “You can’t ask for anything more than that. He’s a great defender, great teammate. He’s the man. I kind of laughed that he dove for it. It’s a very nice gesture, but, so far away.”

After Ohtani’s triple, Anderson exited the game to a loud and well-deserved standing ovation, for which he was noticeably appreciative.

“I’ve always said this is the best stadium in baseball, the best atmosphere in baseball. And they were the best fans tonight, it was amazing,” Anderson told SportsNet LA’s Kirsten Watson after the game.

Well done, Tyler Anderson. Well done indeed!

Play Ball!

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