LMAO.
Posted on 09/01/2019 7:15:51 PM PDT by dfwgator
TORONTO -- Justin Verlander took the mound for the ninth inning, fully aware of the no-hitters he had finished -- and his near misses, too.
Zeroed in, he wouldn't be denied this time.
Verlander pitched his third career no-hitter, punctuating a dominant season by striking out 14 to lead the Houston Astros past the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 on Sunday.
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.com ...
LMAO.
I watched the whole game. What a performance! Only one walk...in the first inning yet.
And as irony would have it, Toro who hit the winning homer also fielded the last grounder and threw a perfect strike to first base. One camera shot caught Verlander turn swiftly to watch the grounder to Toro at third, then turn 180 to see the out at first. Concern, then instant joy. Quite a moment.
"Women weaken legs."
Greatest moment in Texas Rangers’ history.
I saw a recent interview with Ryan talking about pitch counts and yanking pitchers after 100. He said he once pitched a complete 12 inning game with 200+ pitches.
Actually, it was a defining moment for Robin Ventura’s career. Instead of being remembered as an All Star, Golden Glove winner with 16 seasons in the majors, not to mention, a 58 game hitting streak as a collegiate (at Oklahoma State), a division I record that still stands, he’s remembered for this ill advised charge of the mound.
I saw Ryan pitch when he was in Houston...a machine. I don’t think of that vid when I think of Nolan, but bring up Ventura and...
Not for the great Johan Santana on a damp night:
That’s interesting. As a New York sports fan, I’ll remember Ventura most for his “grand slam single” to win a game for the Mets in the 1999 NLCS in extra innings. He hit the ball over the fence with the bases loaded, but was only credited with a single and one RBI because he was mobbed by his teammates before he could reach second base.
Baseball is such a great game.
The veteran pitcher is dominating the game, but his offense hasn’t scored any runs to support him. If the game goes to extra innings, what does the manager do?
Verlander would be starting the 10th with 120 pitches. Does Hinch take a chance on getting Verlander hurt, ruining the Astros’ chances to advance in the postseason? Maybe, maybe not. Verlander likely guesses that if he can’t close this out in nine, there is a good chance he won’t be allowed to finish it.
Up steps Toro to the plate in the top of the 9th with two outs. In his eighth game in the majors, he may be facing the most important opportunity in his career. He is batting against former Astros pitcher Ken Giles. Toro hits a two-run homer. The only runs to be scored in the game.
And then with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Toro fields a ground ball and fires it to first for the final out of the game. Whether Toro’s career is long or short, he will never forget this game. And neither will the fans.
Yesterday, the Astros lost to the Blue Jays 6-4. And then they deliver this beauty. Each game is unique, but not many are masterpieces. If you love the game, you treasure these moments.
We’re hoping our Astros make it to....and REPEAT...a WS WIN!!
In addition to Ryan’s 7 no hitters he also has 12 one hitters, 18 two hitters and 31 three hitters.
I don’t think the kid, Ventura, expected the old man to fight him. Ryan took control and gave better than he got.
A bench clearing brawl has the potential to be awesome. That one was.
I’ve speculated that this is because teams play with expanded rosters after August 31st, so teams that are out of the playoff race will start young players who aren’t quite big-league hitters yet.
The best part of that brawl — if I remember correctly — was that neither player was ejected. LOL.
“I think if it weren’t for Kate Upton, JV would have 5 no-hitters and 300 wins by now.”
He always looks tired in the dugout when the camera hits him when he’s in Houston. He should get better rest between starts.
rwood
And he gets to go home to his love pillows.
Ventura was ejected and suspended for two games and fined $1,500. The White Sox manager was also tossed.
The umpire noted Ryan was justified defending himself because Ventura rushed the mound.
The pinch runner who replaced Ventura was picked off by Ryan on first.
23 facts about Ryan vs Ventura
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/23-interesting-facts-about-the-nolan-ryan-robin-ventura-brawl-on-23rd-anniversary/
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