Dodger's Clayton Kershaw has thrown a no-hitter at Dodger Stadium in one of the most dominating pitching performances of all-time. He didn't walk a single batter. The perfect game was ruined when shotstop Hanley Ramirez made a bad throw to1st base on a routine groundball. Kershaw's 15 strikeouts were the most by a lefty throwing a no-hitter since Warren Spahn in 1960. The Dodgers are now only 4 games behind the Giants, who had a nine game lead just last week... My take: One of the hardest parts of being a pitcher is that everyone gives you advice. Managers and coaches; infielders and outfielders; batboys and infield crews; everyone is always sure that you're not doing it right. They MUST give you advice as if your survival depends upon listening to them and following their program for you. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Kershaw was stunned when a ball was tossed in his face. It was the shortstop, Carlos Triunfel, who had come over to give him advice along with the ball. Kershaw just smiled at him and went back to concentrating on the final batter. Triunfel has been in the major leagues for eleven days...
The Rockies were the top hitting team in baseball. Even Tulowitski couldn't do anything with Kershaw tonight... <iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/V2ThAEQo4-o?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0"></iframe> <iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YVMZv5TT84Q?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0"></iframe> Reaction of the locals behind the leftfield foul pole... <iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nSggb1SQnSo?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Great performance. Dominating. I was at Jim Abbott's no hitter v Cleveland in 1993( ?) and like this, the crowd was almost as good as the performance. The range of emotion is incredible.
I've always found that the best MLB players are often the ones who remember what it's like to be in the big leagues 11 days. Kershaw probably had a good laugh about that privately later on. What an incredible performance. I see the Dodgers are running a promo for $22 tickets for his next start.
If the Dodgers gave away free tickets to see Koufax pitch, most of us wouldn't go. If we're not good enough to get the games on TV or radio then they can take those stadium seats, unbolt them, turn them sideways and shove them up their arses...
I recently read Jim Abbott's book, "Imperfect." He describes in great detail the no-hitter inning by inning and his emotions along the way. It was a great read. He was a unique and incredible ball player.
A very young center fielder made a great running over the shoulder catch of a line drive that was absolutely striped right at him. I believe Carlos Baerga hit the ball. But it was a young Bernie Williams who caught it.