Sanchez Stunner

Baseball’s first no hitter of 2009 occurred at A T & T Park in San Francisco as the hometown Giants shut out the visiting ball club from San Diego, 8-0. Jonathan Sanchez turned in a Randy Johnson vintage-like performance in his spot start for the sidelined left-handed hurler. Johnson went on the disabled list earlier this week because of shoulder problems. Sanchez, a recently-demoted Giant and pitcher in trade talk discussion, tossed the franchise’s first no-no in 33 years. An eighth inning fielding error stood in the way of perfect game.
The Puerto Rico native Sanchez returned to San Francisco’s rotation and shined in his second chance as a starter. The 26 year old southpaw was so bad this season for the Giants he was banished to the bullpen last month. Sanchez had not started a game since June 22nd for Bruce Bochy’s staff. He held a 3-8 record before Friday night’s unbelievable accomplishment. Sanchez was slotted into the schedule and showed complete control in his showcase start for Johnson. He threw breaking balls effectively and only allowed one base runner on Juan Uribe’s error at third base. Chase Headley reached when Uribe bobbled a hard-hit but routine grounder then fumbled in two attempts to throw the runner out at first.
Sanchez struck out a career high eleven Padres, and did not issue a walk on the night. He fanned Everth Cabrera looking to end the game facing his 28th batter, one more than the minimum. The closest San Diego came to breaking up Sanchez’s no-hit bid was in the ninth. Gold Glove outfielder, Aaron Rowand, saved the Giants’ pitcher when he banged into the wall to catch Edgar Gonzalez’s long drive to center. Sanchez won for the first time since May 25th. The trend of terrific starting pitching continues to keep the 2009 San Francisco Giants in the playoff hunt. Tim Lincecum was near perfect against the Padres before Tony Gwynn’s seventh inning hit a night before. Johnson earned his 300th win a few months ago, and Matt Cain and Barry Zito are two performers who can go the distance. If the Giants can get their offense rolling in the second half, Sanchez becomes another asset the team probably did not foresee being a factor down the stretch. The team leads the majors in shutouts this year, with 13 total. The Giants have a great culture capable of clarifying and contending with their crippling pitchers.
The last no-hit gem thrown by a San Francisco Giant was in 1976 by John Montefusco. It was the 13th no-hitter in club history. Sanchez did his with 110 pitches, 77 for strikes.


Parting points: On July 11, 1985, Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros becomes the first pitcher in history to record 4,000 strikeouts. Ryan notches the milestone when he fans New York Mets outfielder Danny Heep on three pitches in the sixth inning.

Happy 150th birthday to Big Ben!