Ervin Santana
Encyclopedia
Ervin Ramon Santana is a Major League Baseball
right-handed starting pitcher
for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
.
. According to Ervin Santana, "I just came up with Ervin... Ervin Santana, that sounds good."
early in , where he posted a 5-1 record and 2.31 ERA
in 7 starts. Following an injury to Angels starting pitcher Kelvim Escobar
, Santana earned a promotion. He made his first major league appearance on May 17, against the Cleveland Indians
, in which he gave up the pitching version of the cycle
in first four batters that he faced. In his second start, facing the Chicago White Sox
's Jon Garland
(who at the time had the best record in baseball), Santana bested Garland by pitching a complete game
shutout
. He gave up only 5 hits
and struck out
7 for his first career victory
. Santana then went on the disabled list
and was sent back down to the minors to the Angels Triple-A affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees
.
After Escobar's elbow problems became a recurring problem, he was placed back on the DL and Santana received his second call up to the majors. He pitched well enough to earn a spot on the playoff roster, but was initially left out of the four-man rotation. In the pivotal Game 5 of the American League Division Series
of the playoffs against the New York Yankees
, Angels ace
Bartolo Colón
went out with a shoulder injury in the second inning. Santana filled in as the long reliever, and pitched 5-1/3 innings to earn his first playoff win in his first appearance.
His short rookie season with the Angels ended with 12 wins in the regular season. In the season, he finished with a 16-8 record. After a disappointing start to the season where he went 5-11 with a 6.22 ERA, he was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on July 18, 2007. He was recalled by the Angels on August 17, 2007, and regained his spot in the starting rotation.
On April 30, , Santana equaled an Angels record with a 5-0 start to the season. He joined Angels legend Frank Tanana
and teammate Joe Saunders
, who equaled Tanana the day before. Santana was 11-3 with a 3.34 ERA at the 2008 All-Star Break. Pitching in the 2008 MLB All-Star Game, Santana gave up a fifth inning homer to Matt Holliday
of the Colorado Rockies
.
On September 22, 2008, Santana pitched against the Seattle Mariners
, going 8 innings allowing 5 hits, 1 earned run
, and striking out 9 en route to his career-high tying 16th win of the season. On October 3, 2008, he gave up 4 runs in the first inning, 5 total in the game, to put his team behind the Boston Red Sox
in Game 2 of the ALDS.
Santana started out the 2009 season on the disabled list. On his first game of the season he received a no-decision against the Boston Red Sox.
After struggling with a disappointing 8.35 ERA
, the Angels placed Santana on the disabled list.
On September 28, 2009, Santana pitched a complete game shutout becoming the first pitcher in franchise history to pitch a shutout in a game to clinch the Western Division.
In 2010, despite the Angels finishing two games under .500, Santana finished the season with an impressive 17-10 record and a 3.92 ERA with 169 strikeouts.
On July 27, 2011, Ervin Santana pitched a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians. It was Santana's first career no-hitter, and the Angels first no-hitter since 1990. It was also Ervin Santana's first victory against the Cleveland Indians in 11 career starts. He struck out 10, walked 1, and allowed 1 unearned run. At the end of the 2011 season, Santana pitched a career-best 3.38 ERA and an 11-12 record.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
right-handed starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
.
Name
Santana was born Johan Ramon Santana, and used that name throughout his life until 2003. At that time, he decided to change his name to avoid having the same name as pitching star Johan SantanaJohan Santana
Johan Alexander Santana Araque is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher who is currently playing for the New York Mets. He is a native of Venezuela....
. According to Ervin Santana, "I just came up with Ervin... Ervin Santana, that sounds good."
Career
Santana was a starting pitcher for the Angels' Double-A affiliate, the Arkansas TravelersArkansas Travelers
The Arkansas Travelers, also known informally as The Travs, are a Minor League Baseball team based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Major League club....
early in , where he posted a 5-1 record and 2.31 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 7 starts. Following an injury to Angels starting pitcher Kelvim Escobar
Kelvim Escobar
Kelvim Jose Escobar Bolivar is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is currently a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed...
, Santana earned a promotion. He made his first major league appearance on May 17, against the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, in which he gave up the pitching version of the cycle
Hitting for the cycle
In baseball, hitting for the cycle is the accomplishment of one batter hitting a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a "natural cycle". Cycles are uncommon in Major League Baseball , occurring 293 times since the first by Curry...
in first four batters that he faced. In his second start, facing the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
's Jon Garland
Jon Garland
Jon Steven Garland is a right-handed starting pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-High school career:At John F...
(who at the time had the best record in baseball), Santana bested Garland by pitching a complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
. He gave up only 5 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
7 for his first career victory
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
. Santana then went on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
and was sent back down to the minors to the Angels Triple-A affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees
Salt Lake Bees
The Salt Lake Bees are a Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Bees serve as the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They play their home games at Spring Mobile Ballpark, known to fans as the Apiary, which was...
.
After Escobar's elbow problems became a recurring problem, he was placed back on the DL and Santana received his second call up to the majors. He pitched well enough to earn a spot on the playoff roster, but was initially left out of the four-man rotation. In the pivotal Game 5 of the American League Division Series
American League Division Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Division Series determines which two teams from the American League will advance to the American League Championship Series...
of the playoffs against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, Angels ace
Ace (baseball)
In baseball, an ace is the best starting pitcher of any team and nearly always the first pitcher in his starting rotation. Barring injury or exceptional circumstances, an ace usually always starts on Opening Day...
Bartolo Colón
Bartolo Colón
Bartolo Colón is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball from 1997 to 2009 and again in 2011...
went out with a shoulder injury in the second inning. Santana filled in as the long reliever, and pitched 5-1/3 innings to earn his first playoff win in his first appearance.
His short rookie season with the Angels ended with 12 wins in the regular season. In the season, he finished with a 16-8 record. After a disappointing start to the season where he went 5-11 with a 6.22 ERA, he was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on July 18, 2007. He was recalled by the Angels on August 17, 2007, and regained his spot in the starting rotation.
On April 30, , Santana equaled an Angels record with a 5-0 start to the season. He joined Angels legend Frank Tanana
Frank Tanana
Frank Daryl Tanana is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He was the California Angels' 1st round draft pick in 1971....
and teammate Joe Saunders
Joe Saunders
Joseph Francis Saunders is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-College and minor league career:...
, who equaled Tanana the day before. Santana was 11-3 with a 3.34 ERA at the 2008 All-Star Break. Pitching in the 2008 MLB All-Star Game, Santana gave up a fifth inning homer to Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
of the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
.
On September 22, 2008, Santana pitched against the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
, going 8 innings allowing 5 hits, 1 earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
, and striking out 9 en route to his career-high tying 16th win of the season. On October 3, 2008, he gave up 4 runs in the first inning, 5 total in the game, to put his team behind the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in Game 2 of the ALDS.
Santana started out the 2009 season on the disabled list. On his first game of the season he received a no-decision against the Boston Red Sox.
After struggling with a disappointing 8.35 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, the Angels placed Santana on the disabled list.
On September 28, 2009, Santana pitched a complete game shutout becoming the first pitcher in franchise history to pitch a shutout in a game to clinch the Western Division.
In 2010, despite the Angels finishing two games under .500, Santana finished the season with an impressive 17-10 record and a 3.92 ERA with 169 strikeouts.
On July 27, 2011, Ervin Santana pitched a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians. It was Santana's first career no-hitter, and the Angels first no-hitter since 1990. It was also Ervin Santana's first victory against the Cleveland Indians in 11 career starts. He struck out 10, walked 1, and allowed 1 unearned run. At the end of the 2011 season, Santana pitched a career-best 3.38 ERA and an 11-12 record.