ANAHEIM — Noah Syndergaard’s performance in the Angels’ 2-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday night was significant on multiple levels for the right-hander.

Syndergaard introduced himself to Angels fans by pitching 5-1/3 scoreless innings while wearing No. 34, a number that no Angels player had worn in 13 years, since pitcher Nick Adenhart wore it before he was killed by a drunk driver.

“The whole day I had goosebumps because I was taking the mound on the 13th anniversary of Adenhart being tragically taken from us,” Syndergaard said. “I felt like I had angels by my side tonight. That was really special to me.”

Syndergaard began wearing No. 34 with the New York Mets because Nolan Ryan was one of his early pitching idols. When he signed with the Angels this winter, the club told him it was time to put Adenhart’s number back into circulation.

“To the everyday person, it’s just a number,” Syndergaard said. “But to us it’s part of our identity.”

Syndergaard also took a step toward re-establishing his identity as one of baseball’s best pitchers. He hadn’t pitched a meaningful game since undergoing Tommy John surgery March 2020. He had make a token two-inning appearance with the Mets last September.

“I felt really good,” Syndergaard said. “The delivery felt nice. Definitely a lot of energy, a lot of good energy, a lot of excitement. Really nice to get the first one out of the way.”

The Angels had lost their first two games, so they needed to a performance like this to change the early-season trajectory. Syndergaard was supported by homers from Jared Walsh and Mike Trout and spotless work by the Angels bullpen.

Syndergaard wasn’t throwing 100 mph or racking up strikeouts, but he was effective. He allowed two hits and three walks. He struck out just one, instead getting the Astros to hit 11 ground balls, all of them routine.

Syndergaard’s fastballs were mostly 94-96 mph. He also threw 21 changeups among his 76 pitches. All Angels starters have been on a short leash the first time through the rotation because of the shortened spring training.

“Outstanding,” Manager Joe Maddon said of Syndergaard. “He’s a strike thrower. The changeup was outstanding and the slider. He’s willing to pitch inside, which you don’t see a whole lot of in today’s game. He commanded everything that he’s doing out there.”

Maddon pulled Syndergaard after a one-out walk in the sixth inning, handing a 1-0 lead to his bullpen.

The Angels held the narrow margin because Justin Verlander was almost as good in his return from Tommy John surgery. Verlander had not pitched since he was hurt one start into the 2020 season.

Walsh put the Angels on the board with a 412-foot homer in the second inning, the first homer of the young season for the team, but that was all they could do against Verlander.

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Aaron Loup and Ryan Tepera bridged the gap from Syndergaard to closer Raisel Iglesias without allowing a hit or walk.

Trout blasted a 445-foot homer in the bottom of the eighth, providing an extra run of cushion for Iglesias.