July 20, 2017 Page 1 of 15

Clips

(July 20, 2017)

July 20, 2017 Page 2 of 15

Today’s Clips Contents

FROM LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3)

 Alex Meyer makes a big league statement as the Angels silence the Nationals 7-0

FROM ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (Page 5)

 Alex Meyer dominates his former team in Angels’ victory over Nationals

 Angels Notes: Reliever Keynan Middleton slumps as slider flattens

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 8)

 Meyer leads 1-hit shutout as Halos stall Nats

 Statcast of the Day: Robinson robs Murphy

 Meyer has career night vs. former club

 Angels counter Sox's Sale with Nolasco

 Robinson called up as Maybin lands on DL

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (Page 13)

 Meyer, 2 relievers throw 1-hitter in Angels' 7-0 win

FROM ESPN.COM (Page 15)

 Angels put stolen base leader Cameron Maybin on DL with MCL sprain

July 20, 2017 Page 3 of 15

FROM LOS ANGELES TIMES

Alex Meyer makes a big league statement as the Angels silence the Nationals 7-0

By Pedro Moura

Six years ago, the Washington Nationals selected right-hander Alex Meyer and outfielder Brian Goodwin in the first round of the MLB draft. The college juniors shared the same agent, traveled to Alabama together to undergo pre-signing physicals with the famed Dr. James Andrews, and were introduced together at Nationals Park. They each agreed to contracts with Washington in the final minutes before the annual deadline.

A year later, the Nationals traded away Meyer, but the two men kept in touch as they ascended the minor league ranks. They met for breakfast Wednesday at a local favorite, the Filling Station Cafe. After their meal, Meyer picked up the check.

Several hours later at Angel Stadium, Goodwin knocked a double down the right-field line to spoil Meyer’s bid for a no-hitter with two outs in the sixth inning. It proved Washington’s only hit in the Angels’ 7-0 thrashing, as Meyer dominated his original team in a seven-inning, seven-strikeout performance.

“I’ll have to talk to him about that,” Meyer said.

Meyer carried a perfect game into the fifth, when Anthony Rendon nixed it with a four-pitch walk, one of only two three-ball counts Meyer had all evening. Rendon too was a Washington first-rounder in 2011. He was still sleeping when his friends breakfasted, Meyer said.

The Angels (47-50) are three games out of playoff position. Just when the industry starts to assume they will be sellers at the July 31 trade deadline, the Angels pull themselves back into the fray. Sixty-five games remain on their schedule, but only nine until the deadline, complicating the decision-making process for general manager Billy Eppler.

If the team dipped in one direction or the other, action would be more obvious. But week after week, they remain in the vicinity of .500.

For Wednesday’s game, the Angels promoted Meyer from triple A, where he had languished since the All-Star break, making just one start. Back in the big leagues to stay awhile, he put together the best start of his career. The seven innings he completed were a career high, and he required only 88 pitches. He had walked more than six men per nine innings so far this season, but he walked only Rendon on Wednesday.

Meyer and catcher Martin Maldonado planned to utilize his two-seam fastball. Typically, the 6-foot-9 Meyer relies on his four-seamer, which he can throw 97 mph and command more reliably. But he found an adequate grasp of the darting two-seamer in his pregame bullpen session and let it loose 33 times for 21 strikes. He pitched much differently than when Washington had last seen him. July 20, 2017 Page 4 of 15

“I guess he looks a little more crafty now,” Goodwin said. “He’s definitely able to do more with the ball, be more precise with it.”

Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez was wild to begin the game. In the first inning, Yunel Escobar and Albert Pujols singled around a Mike Trout walk, netting one run. After an Andrelton Simmons sacrifice fly scored a second run, Gonzalez settled.

Come the sixth, his control again faltered. Pujols walked and Cron clubbed a home run some 461 feet. He came inches from landing the baseball inside the massive, sponsored paint can beyond the left- center wall. In four seasons, no one has completed the feat, which would earn the Angels’ foundation a $1-million donation.

The Angels added three runs against Joe Blanton, one of the more despised figures to call this ballpark home in recent seasons. The 2013 free-agent disaster allowed singles to Escobar and Ben Revere before Trout stepped to the plate.

The center fielder took the count to 2-and-2 and received a plum pitch, a 91-mph fastball over the exact center of the strike zone. He kicked his leg and calmly whipped his bat to meet the ball, which soared 132 feet into the air and 407 feet from home plate for a two-run homer.

That capped the club’s scoring. The Angels had not mustered more than five runs in a game since June 24. They had not won a game by a margin so substantive since June 17.

Mostly, they exited the ballpark Wednesday night buoyed by Meyer’s encouraging performance. Their hitters have not had sustained success this season, but they have also lacked a pitcher capable of dominance. If the 27-year-old can command his easy velocity and sharp breaking ball more consistently in the second half, the Angels can dream easier.

“If he keeps throwing like that,” Nationals manager Dusty Bakersaid, “maybe they’ve found something.”

Short hops

As expected, the Angels recalled outfielder Shane Robinson from triple-A Salt Lake before Wednesday’s game and placed Cameron Maybin on the disabled list with a right knee sprain suffered Tuesday. To make room for Meyer, they optioned reliever Eduardo Paredes to Salt Lake. … Right-hander Garrett Richards has stretched his throwing out to 90 feet. He remains hopeful of pitching this season.

July 20, 2017 Page 5 of 15

FROM ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Alex Meyer dominates his former team in Angels’ victory over Nationals

By Jeff Fletcher

ANAHEIM — With each pitch Alex Meyer threw on Wednesday night, the future looked a little brighter for the Angels.

In this season of inconsistency, with a team that alternately looks to be going nowhere and headed in the right direction, Meyer provided seven innings of brilliance.

The 27-year-old enigma, with the stuff to be great but command and control issues that have prevented him from getting there, allowed one hit in the Angels’ 7-0 victory over the Washington Nationals.

The Angels supported him with their most runs since June 22. They got a pair of two-run homers, from Mike Trout and C.J. Cron.

It was overkill on a night that Meyer needed little help.

Meyer didn’t allow a baserunner until the fifth and he didn’t allow a hit until the sixth. He finished with seven strikeouts and one walk, needing 88 pitches slice up one of the best offensive teams in the majors.

“That lineup is packed,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “To get through seven innings, with one hit and one walk, and command counts the way he did, that says a lot about his upside and potential.”

The Nationals knew all about that. They drafted Meyer in the first round in 2011. He was actually one of three first-round picks that year, sandwiched between Anthony Rendon and Brian Goodwin, who were both in the lineup against him on Wednesday night.

Meyer said they are still two of his closest friends in baseball. In fact, he took Goodwin to breakfast on Wednesday morning. Goodwin repaid him by breaking up his no-hitter with a sixth-inning double.

“I have to talk to him about that,” Meyer quipped.

To Goodwin, it was no surprise that Meyer is finally finding himself as a big league pitcher: “I always thought he had great stuff. Even when he was with us, he pitched his tail off, just like he did tonight. I guess he’s looks a little more crafty now. Definitely able to do more with the ball, be more precise with it.”

The Nationals had Meyer for only one year, before they dealt him to the Minnesota Twins for Denard Span. At the time, he was still considered a premium prospect. Between then and the time the Angels got him from the Twins last summer, his stock had plummeted.

One issue was that he simply couldn’t command his stuff. The other was he didn’t have the mental composure to persevere when things weren’t going his way. July 20, 2017 Page 6 of 15

What the Angels are seeing lately is Meyer getting both of those issues under control. He now has a 2.82 ERA over his last 10 starts. Scioscia said Meyer is learning how to “compete and how to make your pitches” when things start to go wrong, so mistakes don’t multiply.

“Those bumps in the road aren’t as high,” Scioscia said.

Case in point, earlier this month the Angels sent him down to Triple-A over the All-Star break. It was partly because they didn’t need five starters and also because they wanted Meyer to work on some things.

“If you want to stay up here, you need to do a little better,” Meyer said. “That’s what I took out of it.”

In his only start at Triple-A, he gave up three runs in five innings, but he also threw 50 strikes in 73 pitches. That earned him a quick return to the majors.

“That was the best ball-strike ratio he’s had all year,” Scioscia said. “I don’t care if you do it in Triple-A or here, that’s important. If you throw pitches over the plate, that’s step one for Alex.”

In his first start since coming back, he was in command immediately. He was also clinging to just a 2-0 lead from the first inning until the sixth, when the Angels started adding on. Cron delivered a 461-foot homer, the Angels longest of the season. Trout hit his two-run shot an inning later.

It was the second homer in three games for Cron, who needs to make the most of his rare opportunities against left-handed pitchers to win playing time from Luis Valbuena. The Angels are facing lefties each of the next two games.

“He’s going to get an opportunity to get in and swing the bat, certainly against lefties,” Scioscia said. “We need to see somebody put a charge into baseballs. It was good to see with C.J. and Mike.”

Angels Notes: Reliever Keynan Middleton slumps as slider flattens

By Jeff Fletcher

ANAHEIM — Keynan Middleton’s rapid ascent to the majors hit a speed bump.

More accurately, a flat spot.

Middleton, the top relief prospect in the organization, had ascended to high-leverage spots in the Angels bullpen a month ago. In his last 17 games, he’s allowed 11 runs and six homers in 16 2/3 innings.

“No doubt, his slider has been flat,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “It doesn’t matter if you are throwing 97, if you can’t blend that with a breaking ball, you’re in trouble. He has a tremendous breaking ball. The last handful of games, you can see there’s very little depth to it.”

Middleton was a failed starter in the spring of 2016, when the Angels moved him to the bullpen. While pitching in relief, his velocity ticked up, reaching triple-digits. He also learned a new grip with his slider. Combine that with more time in the weight room, and Middleton rocketed from Class-A to Triple-A in 2016. July 20, 2017 Page 7 of 15

He reached the majors in April, and within a month was pitching with games on the line. The pinnacle of his rookie season was a strikeout of Dodgers phenom Cody Bellinger at a key moment in an Angels victory at Dodger Stadium on June 26.

“He’s going to work very hard to get that back,” Scioscia said. “Once he does, he’ll flip that coin in no time to being that pitcher we saw at Dodger Stadium. The pitcher we saw in some tough situations making some good hitters look bad. He’ll be that guy.”

OUTFIELD SHUFFLE

On Wednesday night the Angels used a starting outfield with Mike Trout flanked by Ben Revere in left and Shane Robinson in right.

Cameron Maybin, the starting left fielder, was placed on the disabled list with a strained medial collateral ligament suffered on Tuesday night. Calhoun got the night off.

The decision to call up Robinson to replace Maybin was based on Robinson’s recent hot streak at Triple-A. He had hit .411 in his last 24 games at Salt Lake City. Young hit .164 in his last 21 games, including the last 17 of his recent stint in the majors.

One reason Calhoun was off was the Nationals started lefty Gio Gonzalez, and Calhoun hasn’t hit lefties as well this year as in the past. He was hitting .221 against lefties, although with a passable .303 on-base percentage.

“This season maybe he hasn’t had as many hits fall in, but it’s not like he’s had a huge amount of at-bats against lefties (109 plate appearances),” Scioscia said. “He’s still getting his walks. Historically he’s hit lefties well.”

For most of the 2-4 weeks that Maybin is out, expect Trout and Calhoun to play, with Revere in left against righties and Robinson in left against lefties.

ALSO

The Angels optioned reliever Eduardo Paredes to make room for Alex Meyer, who was promoted to start Wednesday night. The Angels had been taking advantage of the All-Star break to keep fewer than five starters on their active roster, but they reverted to a normal five starters and seven relievers with the Meyer move. …

Andrew Heaney’s second rehab start is scheduled for Thursday in the Arizona League. Heaney is expected to start at least once more after that in Arizona before moving up to higher league. Heaney, who had Tommy John surgery less than 13 months ago, could join the Angels rotation in mid-August if he doesn’t have any setbacks. …

Tyler Skaggs said he hopes to be back in the Angels’ rotation in the first week of August, after two starts at Triple-A. “In my heart that’s what I want to do, but I’m not in charge,” Skaggs said. He is scheduled to start Saturday and the following Thursday for Salt Lake City. … July 20, 2017 Page 8 of 15

Nick Tropeano has begun throwing off a mound. Tropeano, who is less than a year removed from Tommy John surgery, won’t have time to make it back to the majors or even the minors this season. He said his goal is to pitch in the instructional league, which is held in October, and then have a normal offseason…

The Angels promoted outfielder Jahmai Jones, one of their top prospects, from Class-A Burlington to advanced-Class-A Inland Empire after Wednesday’s game. Jones hit his ninth homer of the season on Wednesday night. He hit .272 at Burlington.

FROM ANGELS.COM

Meyer leads 1-hit shutout as Halos stall Nats

By Jamal Collier and Maria Guardado / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Six years ago, the Nationals drafted a 6-foot-9 right-hander out of the University of Kentucky named Alex Meyer in the first round, before trading him to the Twins 16 months later.

Now 27 and with his third organization, Meyer's career has not taken off quite as he had hoped, but on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium, he reminded his former organization of his tantalizing potential. Meyer allowed one hit in seven dominant innings as the Angels shut out the Nationals, 7-0. The win secured a split of the two-game Interleague series for the Halos and handed the Nats their first loss in seven games.

"It was good to be able to come up here and have that, especially against the team that drafted me," said Meyer, who walked one and struck out seven in the 88-pitch gem.

Meyer, who was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday after being demoted two weeks ago, retired the first 14 batters he faced before issuing a four-pitch walk to Anthony Rendon with two outs in the fifth. His no-hit bid stayed alive for one more inning, until Brian Goodwin -- who was also drafted in the first round in 2011 by the Nats -- broke it up with a two-out double down the right-field line in the sixth. Meyer had taken Goodwin out to breakfast earlier Wednesday morning.

"I always thought he had great stuff," Goodwin said. "Even when he was with us, he pitched his tail off, just like he did tonight. I guess he looks a little more crafty now. Definitely able to do more with the ball, be more precise with it. But you knew when we got him there was a reason we got him so early."

The Angels' struggling offense came alive to back Meyer's stellar outing, producing its most runs since June 22. Yunel Escobar, C.J. Cron and Cliff Pennington all delivered multihit efforts for the Halos, while Mike Trout broke the game open with his 18th home run of the season, a two-run blast off Joe Blanton that gave the Angels a 7-0 lead in the seventh.

With Bryce Harper receiving a day off on Wednesday, the Nationals mustered only two baserunners against the Angels en route to their second shutout of the season. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez was July 20, 2017 Page 9 of 15

charged with the loss after surrendering four runs on five hits while walking three and striking out three over 5 2/3 innings.

"When you get shut out, you don't really have a chance," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. "I think that's our second shutout this year. We didn't really have much of a shot tonight."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Angels strike early: The Angels scored twice in the first inning to build an early lead against Gonzalez. Escobar, who moved back into the leadoff spot following Tuesday's injury to Cameron Maybin, opened with a single, advanced to second on Trout's walk and scored on Albert Pujols' RBI single to put the Halos on the board. Andrelton Simmons later knocked in Trout with a sacrifice fly to center field.

Cron tacks on: Cron, who has been limited to starting against left-handers, made the most of his opportunity on Wednesday night, blasting a two-run shot off Gonzalez that extended the Angels' lead to 4-0 in the sixth. Cron's fourth homer of the season, which came close to hitting the million-dollar paint can in left-center field, came off the bat at 110 mph and traveled a Statcast™-estimated 461 feet, making it the longest homer hit by an Angel this season.

"All it took was one pitch that made the difference," Gonzalez said. "And that pitch ended up being a high changeup to the guy that I was two times ahead in the count."

HOW DID WE GET HERE? Meyer spent only one professional season with the Nationals before he was traded to the Twins in exchange for Denard Span in November 2012. Meyer struggled as a starter with Minnesota and was moved to the bullpen in 2015, which caused his prospect stock to dip. Still, Meyer's upside intrigued the Angels, who acquired him from the Twins along with Ricky Nolasco as part of the Hector Santiago trade last summer.

Meyer said it was special to be able to have one of the best starts of his career against the Nationals.

"I have a lot of respect for the organization from when I was there," Meyer said. "My one year there was a blast, and that was Low-A and High-A. I have some of my best friends over there that I still keep in contact with today. It was fun to be able to face them and happy to get a win against them."

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Angels right fielder Shane Robinson, who was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday as Maybin landed on the disabled list, made one of the most difficult catches of the season to rob Daniel Murphy of a hit in the first inning. Murphy hooked a 1-2 curveball from Meyer to right field, but Robinson came running in to make a diving grab and end the inning. The fly ball had a catch probability of just 7 percent, according to Statcast™.

"Usually on plays like that, I just try to focus and just kind of slow things down as kind of like a controlled max effort," Robinson said. "You go all out, but you mentally try to slow things down at the same time. I was just fortunate I could make that catch for Alex." July 20, 2017 Page 10 of 15

UPON FURTHER REVIEW In the sixth, Robinson was ruled safe at first after appearing to beat out a double play. The Nationals challenged the call, but the ruling was allowed to stand after replays were inconclusive.

WHAT'S NEXT Nationals: Following an off-day Thursday, the Nationals will begin a three-game series with the D-backs Friday night at Chase Field at 9:40 p.m. ET. Max Scherzerwill take the mound looking to continue a dominant stretch in which he has notched double-digit strikeouts in nine of his past 10 starts.

Angels: The Angels will enjoy an off-day on Thursday before opening a three-game series against the American League East-leading Red Sox on Friday night at 7:07 p.m. PT at Angel Stadium. Ricky Nolasco (4-10, 4.82 ERA) will start the opener in his 20th outing of the season.

Statcast of the Day: Robinson robs Murphy

By Kaelen Jones / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- In the same right field normally occupied by 2015 Gold Glove Award winner Kole Calhoun, it was Shane Robinson who made a show-stopping defensive play during the Angels' 7-0 win over the Nationals on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium.

Fresh off a callup from Triple-A Salt Lake hours prior to first pitch, Robinson made the most of his chance filling in for Calhoun on a rare day off by making one of the most difficult catches in the Major Leagues this season.

In the top of the first inning, Daniel Murphy lined a 1-2 curveball off Angels starter Alex Meyer toward the corner in right field, and the speedy Robinson gave chase.

"I kind of took a couple of steps to my left before the pitch, and got a pretty good jump of it off the bat," Robinson said. "I just saw it in the air, and it felt like I had a chance at it the whole time, and just kept going through with it."

Robinson had just a 7 percent catch probability, according to Statcast™ -- tied for the fourth-lowest among plays made that required the fielder to travel at least 50 feet. He had just 3.7 seconds to track 66 feet before diving and fully extending to record the out with a five-star catch.

"Usually on plays like that, I just try to focus and just kind of slow things down as kind of like a controlled max effort," Roberts said. "You go all out, but you mentally try to slow things down at the same time. I was just fortunate I could make that catch for Alex."

Meyer was highly appreciative of the effort, which allowed him to carry a no-hit bid into the sixth inning.

"Shane's catch was one of the best catches I've ever seen," Meyer said.

Added Angels manager Mike Scioscia: "That's huge. For him to make that catch, it kills the inning and gives us a chance to get some offense going." July 20, 2017 Page 11 of 15

Meyer has career night vs. former club

Righty leads 1-hit shutout of Nats, who drafted him in '11

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- On Wednesday morning, Angels right-hander Alex Meyer and Nationals center fielder Brian Goodwin met at the Filling Station Café in Orange, Calif., for breakfast. Meyer and Goodwin were both drafted by the Nationals in 2011, and while their paths don't cross often, they remain good friends.

Meyer treated Goodwin by picking up the check. Hours later, Goodwin returned the favor by breaking up Meyer's no-hitter with a two-out double in the sixth inning of theAngels' 7-0 win over the Nationals at Angel Stadium.

"I'll have to talk to him about that," Meyer said.

Goodwin's hit ended up being the Nationals' only one of the night, as the 27-year-old Meyer tossed seven brilliant innings to lead the Angels to their eighth shutout of the season, securing a split of their two-game series with Washington. Meyer, who walked one and struck out seven, needed only 88 pitches to get through the longest and best outing of his career.

"That lineup is packed," manager Mike Scioscia said. "To get through seven innings and give up one hit and one walk and command counts the way he did, that says a lot about his upside and his potential."

Meyer took a perfect game into the fifth inning before Anthony Rendon, another first-round pick of the Nationals in 2011, reached base on a two-out walk. Meyer said Rendon missed breakfast because he slept in until "about 1 o'clock."

Meyer spent only one season with the Nationals organization before he was traded to the Twins in exchange for Denard Span in November 2012. Injuries and command issues caused his stock to drop in Minnesota, but his power arm intrigued the Angels, who acquired him from the Twins along with Ricky Nolasco as part of the Hector Santiago trade last summer.

"I always thought he had great stuff," Goodwin said. "Even when he was with us, he pitched his tail off, just like he did tonight. I guess he looks a little more crafty now. Definitely able to do more with the ball, be more precise with it. But you knew when we got him there was a reason we got him so early."

Meyer has shown flashes of brilliance over his short career, but his command issues have often stalled his ascent. Two weeks ago, the Angels demoted Meyer to Triple-A Salt Lake over the All-Star break to have him work on some things, including getting his 6-foot-9 frame more in sync. Meyer made one start in Triple-A and allowed three runs in five innings, but he also recorded his best ball-strike ratio of the season, which gave the Angels confidence to insert him back into their rotation on Wednesday.

"I think, mentally, it was like, 'Hey, if you want to stay up here, you need to do a little bit better,'" Meyer said. "That's what I took out of it more than anything. That was big. But I'm definitely happy to be back up here. So hopefully I'll throw well and stay around for a little bit." July 20, 2017 Page 12 of 15

Angels counter Sox's Sale with Nolasco

By Kaelen Jones / MLB.com

Major League stars continue to make the rounds at Angel Stadium, as Mike Trout and the Angels will host Chris Sale and the Red Sox on Friday night as the teams open a three-game set.

Neither Sale (11-4, 2.59 ERA) nor Trout appeared in a three-game series between their clubs last month at Fenway Park, as Sale's turn in the rotation eluded the Halos' visit and Trout was still on the disabled list recovering from a torn UCL in his left thumb.

Friday will mark the first time Sale will face Trout and the Angels since April 20, 2016, when he was a member of the White Sox.

The outing will be Sale's second since the All-Star break. The left-hander started for the American League in the Midsummer Classic on July 11, then pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings before drawing a no- decision against the Yankees on Saturday.

The Angels will send right-hander Ricky Nolasco (4-10, 4.82) to the bump. He'll look to build off a quality performance against the Rays on Friday, when he spun seven innings of one-run ball on two hits and two walks while striking out six.

Things to know about this game

• Trout is 5-for-16 against Sale, with a grand slam, three walks and three strikeouts.

• Sale, a six-time All-Star, has logged 16 quality starts this season, tied for the second in the Major Leagues.

Over the last two seasons, the southpaw has pitched at least six innings in 47 of his 51 starts, and he has lasted six-plus innings in 18 of his 19 2017 starts.

• Nolasco has given up a Major League-high 26 home runs this season.

Robinson called up as Maybin lands on DL

By Kaelen Jones / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- The Angels placed outfielder Cameron Maybin on the 10-day disabled list and selected the contract of outfielder Shane Robinson from Triple-A Salt Lake before their series finale against the Nationals on Wednesday at Angel Stadium.

Maybin sustained a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee while sliding feet-first on an attempt to steal during the bottom of the first inning of Tuesday's 4-3 loss. The club said Maybin will miss two to four weeks. July 20, 2017 Page 13 of 15

"You never want to see a teammate go down," said Ben Revere, who replaced Maybin in left field following the injury. "It's tough to see that. Hopefully, he heals quickly. He's definitely one of the main troops for this team."

With Maybin out, manager Mike Scioscia said the club's plan is to platoon Robinson and Revere in left field, but Robinson started in right on Wednesday while Kole Calhoun got a breather.

"Shane is a really good defender," Scioscia said. "[He's] got some experience, and hopefully, he'll make the most of whatever opportunity he gets."

"I'm just here to do anything I can to help the team win," Revere said.

Meyer recalled; Paredes optioned

The Angels recalled right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer from Salt Lake ahead of his start Wednesday against the Nationals. Right-hander Eduardo Paredes was optioned to the Bees in a corresponding move.

Meyer (3-5, 4.18 ERA) was sent down ahead of the All-Star break to "tighten some things up a little bit," per Scioscia.

Paredes appeared in two games for the Angels, posting a 3.86 ERA across 4 2/3 innings in relief.

Worth noting

• Left-handed pitcher Tyler Skaggs said he will join Salt Lake on Friday and pitch on Saturday and next Thursday, before hopefully returning to the Angels.

Skaggs threw 3 2/3 innings during an outing with the Arizona League Angels on Monday in his first rehab start since the landing on the DL with a right oblique strain April 29.

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Meyer, 2 relievers throw 1-hitter in Angels' 7-0 win

Associated Press

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The book on Alex Meyer was pretty clear: big stuff, bigger control problems.

Not so much Wednesday night for the 6-foot-9 right-hander.

Meyer executed nearly to perfection while allowing a hit and a walk over seven innings and leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 7-0 victory that ended the Washington Nationals' six-game winning streak.

"We really didn't have much of a chance," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. "Our reports were he didn't have very good command, but he did tonight." July 20, 2017 Page 14 of 15

Meyer (4-5) had a perfect game until he walked Anthony Rendon with two outs in the fifth. He lost his no-hitter with two outs in the sixth when Brian Goodwindoubled down the right-field line.

Meyer, Rendon and Goodwin were all first-round draft picks by the Nationals in 2011.

"I went to breakfast with (Goodwin) this morning and paid for it," Meyer said. "I'll have to talk to him about that."

Meyer had been plagued by walks this season (41 in 60 1/3 innings) but had just the one free pass in a career-high seven innings. He struck out seven.

David Hernandez and Jose Alvarez each threw a scoreless, hitless inning to complete the one-hitter. It was only the second time this season the Nationals have been shut out.

"To make outs the way he did says a lot about his upside and potential," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Mike Trout and C.J. Cron each hit two-run homers to support Meyer. For Trout, it was his 18th of the season.

Gio Gonzalez (8-5) started for the Nationals but gave up a pair of first-inning runs on Albert Pujols' single and Andrelton Simmons' sacrifice fly, and it was all the runs Los Angeles would need.

Washington outfielder Bryce Harper did not play in the nationally televised game. It was a scheduled day off.

DEFENSIVE SUPPORT

Meyer was supported by more outstanding defense. Outfielder Shane Robinsonmade a diving stop on Daniel Murphy's drive in the first, and Simmons went deep into the hole to throw out Ryan Zimmerman in the seventh.

"We've been making the plays all year defensively," Scioscia said. "That's been one of the quiet factors that doesn't get a lot of play, but we're doing a great job defensively both in consistency and range."

The Angels have not made an error in their last 13 games.

FAMILIAR FACE

The Nationals took Meyer with the 23rd overall pick in the 2011 draft. He spent his first season at Class A before the Nationals traded him to the Minnesota Twins for outfielder Denard Span.

He came to the Angels last summer in a trade with the Twins.

"You can see why he was our No. 1 draft pick," Baker said. "If he keeps throwing like that, maybe they've found something."

TRAINER'S ROOM July 20, 2017 Page 15 of 15

Nationals: RHP Joe Ross had Tommy John surgery. ... OF Michael Taylor(oblique strain) resumed baseball activities. ... Nationals had no update on a second MRI on the fractured right wrist of shortstop Trea Turner. He is rehabbing in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Angels: Placed OF Cameron Maybin on the DL with a medial collateral ligament sprain in his right knee. The Angels said he would be out 2-4 weeks, though Maybin expects to return on the shorter end. ... Recalled Robinson from Triple-A and started him Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Nationals: After a day off Thursday, RHP Max Scherzer (11-5, 2.01 ERA) is scheduled to open a three- game series in Arizona on Friday. Originally drafted by the Diamondbacks, he is 5-0 with a 2.41 ERA in seven career starts against Arizona.

Angels: RHP Ricky Nolasco (4-10, 4.82 ERA) opens a three-game series at home against Boston on Friday. Nolasco has been erratic this season, but in his last start against Tampa Bay he held the Rays to one run and two hits in seven innings.

FROM ESPN.COM

Angels put stolen base leader Cameron Maybin on DL with MCL sprain

ESPN.com news services

The Los Angeles Angels have officially placed AL stolen base leader Cameron Maybin on the 10-day disabled list with an MCL sprain in his right knee and recalled right-hander Alex Meyer from Triple-A Salt Lake.

Meyer is slated to make the start Wednesday night against the Washington Nationals.

In other moves, the Angels called up outfielder Shane Robinson from Salt Lake and optioned right- hander Eduardo Paredes to clear a spot on the 25-man roster.

Maybin, who has 25 stolen bases on the season, sprained his right knee while sliding awkwardly into second base Tuesday night during the Angels' 4-3 loss to the Nationals. Maybin opened the first inning with a single, but Nationals starter Edwin Jackson pitched out when Maybin took off to steal second. Maybin adjusted his slide into second too late and dragged his right leg awkwardly behind him.

An MRI exam revealed the sprained ligament. The injury typically requires two to four weeks of recovery.

Maybin was hitting .236 in his debut season with the Angels. His first-inning single was just his third hit in his past 35 at-bats.