Astros Tie World Series up 2-2 Behind " Combined No Hitter "
Philadelphia: The atmosphere in Philly was electric. Until about the 3rd inning. Phillies fans were very Philadelphia-ish last night before the first pitch. The crowd was loud - raucous and a bit drunk. As I was saying, it was very ish. And who can blame them? The Phillis gave their fans every reason to feel WIT WIZ-Y. A split in Houston then they came home to take game one in the fashion they did. Then the Astros arms snapped them back to reality. 5-0 Astros win, series tied up two a piece.
Cristian Javier and three relievers combined for just the second no-hitter in World Series history Javier, the 25-year-old right-hander, worked the first six innings without allowing a hit. From there, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, and Ryan Pressly pitched the final three hitless frames to complete the bid. The combined effort is just the second no-hitter in World Series history and. The first MLB postseason no-hitter since the late Roy Halladay did it for the Phillies against the Reds in Game 1 of the 2010 NLDS. It’s the first in the World Series since Don Larsen's perfect game for the Yankees in 1956. God, I wish Vin Scully had called last night's game. I just can't with these two ( Joe Davis and Smoltz ) I just CAN’T. But let's digress.
Yes four pitchers combined to throw a no hitter. Is it a no hitter ? sure i guess but to me a no hitter is a single pitcher's accomplishment. The other nine plus men on the field have a great deal to do with it BUT, ( that's a big but ) there is just one man who takes credit for it. A single hurler takes the mound. And Goes Nine Innings. Like Don Larson or Roy Halladay. In game three Dusty Baker hung McCullers out to dry, refusing to pull him. In game four he pulled Javier too soon. In six innings he struck out nine and walked just two batters. I can't remember a hard hit ball while Javier was on the hill. he was at 97 pitches through six. Baker should have let him run back out there until he gave up a hit. Box score be damned , I will never see these combined outings as true no hitters. One Man 27 outs. No one puts bat on ball to reach. That's history.
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