Thursday, November 3, 2022

Kinda-sorta history

 If you watched Game 4 of the World Series last night, you saw one thing you hadn't seen in a good while, and another thing you'd never seen. Both were the same thing.

The Houston Astros, see, no-hit the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-0.

It was the first no-hitter in a World Series since Don Larsen's perfect game in 1956. 

It was also the first combined Series no-hitter, like, ever.

Which doesn't diminish the feat, mind you. But which somehow makes it seem, I don't know, only kinda-sorta historic.

Look, I get it: A no-hitter is a no-hitter. It's a big deal, especially in the World Series. But the Blob is an incorrigible old schooler, which means saying "So-and-so pitched a no-hitter" will always sound more impressive to me than "So-and-so and a bunch of other guys pitched a no-hitter."

In this case, it was starter Cristian Javier, who was all kinds of wonderful, and relievers Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly. Javier pitched the first six innings, striking out nine and allowing two baserunners, both on walks. Then, after just 97 pitches, he was pulled because, you know, it's the World Series, pitching arms are as delicate as gossamer these days, and we might need this guy later on.

And so on came Abreu, Montero and Pressly, who pitched the last three hitless innings and walked just one more batter.

Thus, the first World Series no-hitter in 66 years. But not, you know, a no-hitter.

I know. Get off my lawn, you damn kids.

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