So, last Friday night there was a NL West game between the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. Other than those markets, probably not many tuned in to watch; however, it was significant because the Giants' Jonathan Sanchez threw San Francisco's first no-hitter in 33 years. It was also significant because Sanchez was making a spot start since being demoted from the rotation after posting a 2-8 record and 5.30 ERA during the first half. In 50 games started over the last four years, he'd never had even a shutout, let alone gone nine innings. And what makes the story all the more remarkable, is that his father flew in from Puerto Rico to see his son pitch a MLB game...for the first time.
I'll admit that I was watching the game last Friday, but after the fourth inning, opted to stick in a NetFlix. I'm kicking myself now. After the movie ended, I switched to the game and was probably 15 minutes late for the last pitch. I'd missed it all live but for the next hour and a half, I soaked in all the relived drama and interviews I could.
Last night, they replayed the game in its entirety and it was awesome. His pitches were electric and his curve was filthy. If not for an eighth-inning error, it would have been a perfect game. But to me, after waiting 33+ years to see my Giants throw a no-no, it was perfect. This is why baseball is special. Awesome, just awesome.
And I'll admit that I was riding that train pretty hard for the Giants to trade Sanchez to get a bat, any bat, but now I think they should at least keep him to see what happens. Will he regress or will he maintain what he learned during his demotion? Hopefully he'll be better and the Giants will have a starting three to rival all others. But if it doesn't work out and he regresses to his career 5 ERA, at least he gave us Giants fans a game to remember.