What an amazing accomplishment for this guy. And what an adventure it’s been for him this season. He didn’t get picked up by the team after Spring Training, but came in to cover for the injured Matt Cain. He definitely impressed at first, but then had some problems with consistency. With the return of Matt Cain and Jake Peavy to the lineup in the near future, it was a sure thing that Heston would be sent down to make room for them. Take home lesson: Never trust a sure thing. I think he’s made his case to stay.
That game was so cool on so many levels. Speaking of cool, the boy sure is calm under pressure. He just doesn’t seem to get rattled by anything. All the guys in the clubhouse ignored him once there was potential that he might have a no hitter as they normally would do. But he had none of this. He even went up to Matt Duffy and Nori Aoki and apologized to them for a baserunning error in the 8th that caused Aoki to lose an RBI and Duffy to lose a run (Heston didn’t realize there were 2 outs so he didn’t hustle to 2nd base). Gee, I wonder why he lost track of the outs! The park was a contributor to maintaining the cool factor, too, as Bochy had Casilla and Lopez warming up in the ninth, but Heston couldn’t see them because their bullpen is hidden. During Matt Cain’s perfect game, Bochy had Shane Loux warming up in the batting cages so Matt couldn’t see him. And Heston mentioned the fact that at one point he made a play at first, then Duffy came out to talk to him on the mound just to give him a breather. I love how they look out for each other! Then at the end, after that final strikeout, Heston didn’t know what to do and started walking over to the dugout, but Buster was having none of that. He tossed the game-winning ball to Heston (who proceeded to drop it), then walked over to envelope him in the now famous Buster hug. And I noticed that the post game pile on was much more subdued this game – mirroring the calm personality of Heston.
Usually during a no-hitter, there is some fantastic defensive play that contributes, like Gregor Blanco’s unbelievable diving catch during Matt Cain’s perfect game or Hunter Pence’s amazing reach during Tim Lincecum’s no-hitter. None of those were needed in this game, making it all the more incredible. Well, Brandon Crawford did make a nice play at short, but we’ve come to expect that from him (here’s the video of that one for Ginny). Heston logged 11 strikeouts and walked no one. The only imperfection was that he hit three guys, including the leadoff batter in the 9th. But even that didn’t keep him from striking out the next three.
I love all the stories that you hear after the game when one of these happens. It turns out Heston’s little league coach was at the game. He lives in Florida, and thought it would be nice to take a trip up to New York to watch his former player pitch in the big leagues. This was the first of Heston’s starts he had been to. Nice choice! He even got to celebrate with Heston in the clubhouse afterwards. I think he needs to shuttle that guy to every game he starts! Then there’s the story about Heston’s agent. Jayson Stark tweeted the story of how Heston’s agent, Marc Kligman, had just flown in to SF last night, took a wrong turn and wound up at AT&T Park. As he was driving by, he got a text from Giants general manager, Bobby Evans, that read, “Your guy’s pitching a no-hitter. Where are you?” Evans didn’t even know that Kligman was in SF. He invited him into the clubhouse to watch the end of the game with him. What a coincidence!
So I’m about to watch that history-making game for myself. Sending huge congratulatory hugs to Chris Heston. From all the wonderful comments about him from his teammates, sounds like it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Congrats to you also on scoring a full page of the New York Daily News today (check it out here – thanks for the heads up, Alex Pavlovic). Everyone in the Big Apple knows your name now! Until next time, GO GIANTS!! KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING!!
I guess the Chicago Cubs didn’t get the memo, you know the one that mentions Yoenis Cespedes most powerful arm? Yeah, and he threw Junior Lake out at home. Now I know you might jump all over me when I say he should have stayed at third but with Cespedes out there, that’s exactly what he should have done.
The Cubs were beaten 6-0.
Jon Lester had his work cut out for him and lasted only five innings before being swapped for Edwin Jackson. Yeah, a multi kajillion dollar pitcher being switched up for another multi kajillion dollar thrower.
“Detroit’s always been a tough one for me — I don’t know why,” Lester said. “I guess it’s one of those teams that you struggle with.”
It’s not one of those teams “You struggle with” Ok, I’m a little miffed at that statement. Whatever Lester is struggling with, he’s got to fix. Pronto.
There are other pitchers on the squad that will steal his thunder like Mr. Arrieta and Jason Hammel.
All right, so I have to give Jon some credit. He shoulders the blame by taking responsibility for himself. I do know that he’s working on his stuff and he’ll get better.
“It’s not good,” Lester said of his recent outings. “I’m not getting deep into games. Regardless of runs, hits, errors, walks, strikeouts, whatever, I’ve got to do a better job pitching innings. That’s what it comes down to.”
He’s probably at this moment going over the video of last night’s job and he’ll get better. Being the number one guy does not mean throwing a 90+ speedball is going to get an out everytime. Be creative like Kyle Hendricks.
I’m just some poor schmuck from the really cheap seats in Canada whose only 90 mile an hour pitch only comes from a sneeze. It’s easy for me to say this but from where I’m sitting, Jon Lester doesn’t look so good. I’ll tell you what @JLester34, I’m challenging you. Anytime, anywhere. I bet you I can hit one of your awesome pitches.
Believe it.
Game day began with the weather threatening to be either rainy, humid, hot or all of the above. I was hoping it wouldn’t be 90 degrees and sunny.
I was on club level at the stadium and had a bird’s eye view of the Dodgers stretching.
Clayton batting
I think that’s Zack
Wonderful Tess who makes my Dodger experience so much better
My friend Robert’s goal is to take a picture with every Dodger. Today he wanted a picture with Alberto Callaspo. I took a picture with him too.
I was excited to see Brandon McCarthy. Remember him? When I said “Hi Brandon,” he was totally surprised that anyone would know him especially since he wasn’t wearing his name jersey. He said he was better.
Carlos Frias our starting pitcher peeked his head out to check the weather.
Yasiel always seems to be peeking around the corner
Andre signed as he always does. He checked out my phone case to make sure his picture was on it
Donnie stopped to take pictures and sign
Ned Colletti and Stan Comte
AJ
A pensive Clayton
The Dodgers batting helmets and bats
All I wanted was a picture with Yasiel. He didn’t make a face this time.
We went to the enemy side and met Jake Lamb and his buddy Blake. They have been friends since high school and played baseball together.
I always kid around and call the team we’re playing, the enemy. I’ve realized that they all are nice guys. They are never rude to me. Baseball is a business. Next season these guys may be Dodgers. They all are young men having the opportunity to live their dream.
He was nice enough to take a picture with me, Dodger girl.
Also snagged a picture with relief pitcher Oliver Perez who was also gracious enough to take a picture with me
Yasmany Tomas who is super cute and nice
I also ran into Jaime Jarrín, the Spanish broadcaster
Then it was time to pick up the stadium giveaway, a Joc Pederson tee shirt. I had bought two extra tickets for two more tee shirts. I had to go to reserve level to get my extra tee shirts. By the time I went to the club to eat, I was totally off schedule and out of breath.
I had to eat very fast
I think the rockfish and pasta were good.
The guys came out to stretch.
Yasiel and Alex
I really love this picture of Yasiel
A little more Puig
I call this a Dodger pretzel made up of Kiké, Callaspo and Heisey
Clayton signed a few balls in the dugout
It was good to see Justin during the singing of the National Anthem. He hit himself with a foul ball Monday and has a nasty contusion on his leg.
The owner of American Pharaoh, the triple crown winner, threw out the first pitch.
Yasiel signed a few autographs
And took the field
First pitch
It sprinkled most of the game, enough to make the seats wet but not enough to call a rain delay
The first score was made by the D Backs after a wild pitch by Frias 0-1. I thought we were doomed but luckily I was wrong.
Howie hit a solo home run in the 6th inning which put us in a frenzy or maybe we were just feeling wet.
In the 7th inning, Howie singled on an error by Inciarte scoring Heisey and Puig. 3-1, which was the final score.
The D Backs tried to figure it out. My question was why walk Adrian to pitch to Howie who had just hit a home run? Bad decision for them.
The Dodger starting lineup was different. No Joc. No Jimmie. No Andre. But it worked. It probably had to do with the D Backs pitcher Robbie Ray being a left handed pitcher.
Having Puig back seems to have brought a little more energy to the stadium. The fans love Puig. It is a definite downer that Uribe was traded however. I’m still not over that.
We all left the stadium singing “I Love LA” our victory song, a little wet but happy.
Thanks for stopping by. Go Dodgers! Tonight hopefully we can sweep the D Backs. Brett Anderson is on the mound. The Giants are only 1/2 game behind so we have to keep winning.
Wacha gets another tough loss.
Michael Wacha could not hold on to a 2-0 lead, going into the 6th inning. With the offense only getting 4 hits, to support Wacha, bad things can happen. It’s just not the type of baseball that wins in Coors field. Not too many pitchers, toss a shutout there.
Wacha gave up a 2 run homer in the sixth inning, to tie the game up. Then in the 7th, Wacha had 1 man on and 2 outs. Gives up a double. Cardinals are now trailing 3-2. Matheny pulls Wacha and brings in Choate to get out a lefty. 50-50 Choate gives up a single. Cards are now trailing 4-3.
The Cards did get one run back on a solo homer by Bourjos, in the 8th. But, Molina could not deliver a hit with 2 out, bases loaded. That was the ballgame. Cards lose 4-3.
Some observations:
With the loss to the Rox, the Cardinals hand them their first series win, at home this season. Unbelievable. The best team in baseball, gives the worst home team, a series win.
The 2014 offense is back. Not enough hits and not enough runs scored.
What will Matheny do?
Let’s hope he does something.
Later.
He’s the answer to question No. 2.
By Glen Sparks
(This is another in my series of quizzes that each focus on a particular Major League team. Prepare to be baffled.)
One of the original American League ballclubs, the Chicago White Sox have been playing on the city’s south side since 1901. They first called South Side Park home, moved to Comiskey Park for 80 years and left for New Comiskey Park (now Cellular Park) in 1991. The Pale Hose have won six A.L. pennants and three World Series, most recently in 2000.
If Nebraska were around he’d say, ‘we shall see’ and we shall.
There were a pair of National Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees on the squad 40 years ago along with several all-stars and most valuable players.
The seventh member of the 1975 team to be profiled in the this series is John Montefusco.
John “The Count” Montefusco was signed by the San Francisco Giants as a free agent in 1972 and two years later in was in the big leagues at the age of 24. Montefusco was 3-2 in seven contests with the Giants after a September call up that allowed him to keep his rookie status. He also made some noise with his bat with a pair of homers, including one in his first plate appearance.
In 1975, Montefusco was named the National League Rookie of the Year after posting a 15-9 record with a 2.88 ERA. He joined Wally Moon as the only two players in major league history to hit a homer in their initial at bat and win the Rookie of the Year Award..
The next season, Montefusco made the NL All-Star Team for the only time in his 13-year career as he finished 16-14 with an ERA of 2.84. The righthander tossed two scoreless innings in the NL’s 7-1 win in Philadelphia. He also led the league with six shutouts.
Prior to the 1981 season, Montefusco was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Doyle Alexander. Montefusco signed with the San Diego Padres in 1982 before he was shipped to the New York Yankees a year later just before the end of the season. He finished that year with a 5-0 mark with the Yankees and was 14-4 overall. He eventually played his last game with the Yankees in 1986.
Next up in the series: Dan Ford of the Minnesota Twins.
Matt Shoemaker throws a pitch during the first inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on May 16, 2015 (Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Thanks to a couple days off on the Angels’ schedule over the last few days, Shoemaker will be pitching on eight days rest this evening. In his last start on May 31, Shoemaker held the Tigers to 2 runs (1 earned) over 5 1/3 innings in a game the Angels won 4-2 (Shoemaker got a no-decision). Shoemaker will be looking to continue his recent trend of controlling the home run ball after leading the AL in that department through April and early May.
Nate Karns is congratulated by teammates as he returns to the dugout during the 8th inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field on May 8, 2015 (Kim Klement/USA Today Sports)
Karns’ last start came last week at Angel Stadium. In that start he gave up 4 earned runs – including home runs to Mike Trout and Johnny Giavotella – over 5 innings, but he would take the no-decision as the Rays ended up winning the game 6-5 in 10 innings, powered mostly by a 5-spot in the 6th inning against Hector Santiago.