nick adenhart dies in Accident

22-year-old Los Angeles Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a hit-and-run car accident early Thursday morning — just hours after pitching six shutout innings against the Oakland A's:

Cops say someone driving a minivan blew through a red light and hit the Mitsubishi that Adenhart was riding in. Three people were killed in the crash, including Nick.

Cops say the person driving the van fled the scene -- but was later caught and charged with felony hit-and-run.

We're told one of the other men killed in the crash was also affiliated with the Angels organization.

The AP's story on Wednesday's game — in which the A's beat the Angels 6-4 — notes that it was Adenhart's fourth major league start:

Angels rookie Nick Adenhart scattered seven hits over six scoreless innings and escaped a pair of bases-loaded jams. He struck out five and walked three in his fourth major league start.

Adenhart was born in Silver Springs, Maryland on August 24, 1986. The right-handed pitcher graduated from Williamsport High School in Maryland and made his major league debut on May 1, 2008.

Fox Sports West and Adenhart tribute tonight

Because the Angels have canceled today's game against Oakland at Angel Stadium after the death of pitcher Nick Adenhart in a car accident after Wednesday's game, Fox Sports West has adjusted its programming schedule for tonight.

At 7 p.m., Bill Macdonald will anchor a roundtable discussion with Mark Gubicza, Rory Markas, Rex Hudler, Steve Physioc and Jose Mota. The group will gather at the top of the rocks at the stadium and offer their memories of Adenhart.

At 7:15 p.m., Fox Sports West will replay Wednesday's game, in which Adenhart started and pitched six scoreless innings. Fox has now decided to show only the first six innings of the game and follow with three episodes of a Fox Sports specialty, "In My Own Words," featuring segments with Vlad Guerrero, Jered Weaver and Chone Figgins.

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