Jonathan Sanchez throws a no hitter...

by aznsensation on Jul 10, 2009 11:47 PM CDT

You're probably wondering....who in the world is he? Well I don't know either, but he pitched the first no hitter of 2009. This isn't Cubs related, but it's still an accomplishment worth noting. The kid threw 9 innings with only 110 pitches. He had 11 strikeouts and no walks. The only runner the Padres got on was due to an error. So the kid was one error away from having a perfect game. And the best part was that the only reason the guy got to pitch was because Randy Johnson got injured. I just wanted to give this guy some props. So congratulations and I hope him all the success in the world....except against the Cubbies.

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Giants will be a force to be reckoned with...

In the next 3 years if they can keep that staff together and make a few minor additions… they have some ridiculous talent over there, but I’m afraid mismanagement will lead to more losing seasons before they get back in the spotlight… at this point, anything to take their minds of Roidy Bonds is a great thing… congrats for sure! By the way, this was his first start after getting sent back to AAA… I’d say he proved he belongs in the majors.

by lswaidz on Jul 10, 2009 11:54 PM CDT reply actions

I wonder if other web site posters in the SB Nation

congratulate the Cubs when they do well???

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 10, 2009 11:58 PM CDT reply actions

Dunno about posters

but Ryan Braun admitted our pitching was better than theirs. Does that count?

"You have to have short-term memory, no matter who you are in this game. There's always tomorrow." ~Derrek Lee

by Goodie1969 on Jul 11, 2009 12:13 AM CDT up reply actions

Something...

Coming from a guy who you wouldn’t expect to do this when looking at that rotation on paper.

Kudos to Sanchez.

Doesn’t warrant a fantasy pick-up, though, IMO. lol

"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry

by EJThunder on Jul 11, 2009 12:06 AM CDT reply actions

Giants are going to be very good soon

They are loaded with more great young talent in the minors. Buster Posey is a special player behind the plate and with the bat. He should arrive next season.

Sandoval at 3rd base is going to be a superstar in my view. He is an enormous talent.

$136 million payroll for a .500 style ballclub. Good work Jim.

by BLou on Jul 11, 2009 12:18 AM CDT reply actions

If they get wildcard

With their pitching, they make a very very strong case to go to the World Series.

I’d hate to meet them in a Best of 5 in the post season.

by ak123 on Jul 11, 2009 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions

That's awesome

The only said part is, Zambrano has been dethroned as the last no hitter thrown. Oh well…time for Ted Lilly to get one as a Cub!

by ak123 on Jul 11, 2009 12:25 AM CDT reply actions

I'm CURSED...

Destined never to see a no-no, that is.

I’ve mentioned here before how I’ve missed two perfect games: one I had tickets up on TM day of the game, but my buddy didn’t want to see the Expos or deal with Bronx traffic (even though I was driving); the other when my wife wanted to go, but I thought the weather looked “iffy.”

So my youngest has been in a day camp in SF this week. I considered going to the game last night with him, but decided to skip it. Cursed? Nope. Dodged a bullet on that one—Lincecum started out perfect but lost his no-hitter in the 7th.

After the game, my wife says “why don’t we go tomorrow; you’re already in the City, we’ll take the train and meet you…” Like a dope, I say no (for some stupid reason like an early dentist appointment Saturday.) Cursed again—missed another one!

One clarification—Sanchez did not get sent down, but did get pulled from the rotation (and the guy who took his place went 2-1 1.00 1.11WHIP in 3 starts, so it looked like he might not get another chance to start.) The Giants pitching lately (even Zito!) has been just sick.

by bison on Jul 11, 2009 12:33 AM CDT reply actions

Next time you want to go but have an excuse...

… don’t give in to the excuse. Sorry you missed this!

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jul 11, 2009 7:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Congrats Mr. Sanchez...

by bilbosbuttons on Jul 11, 2009 1:08 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

i wonder how bad uribe feels for taking away the perfect game

wells4roty

by jesus christos on Jul 11, 2009 1:12 AM CDT reply actions

leave it to an ex-Sock

by murphymj on Jul 11, 2009 2:38 AM CDT up reply actions

i saw the chisox almost get perfecto'd

jerry hairston (sr) with a two out single in the ninth. detroit’s wilcox finished with a one hitte.,

by tim815 on Jul 11, 2009 6:57 AM CDT reply actions

This was the night after Lincecum nearly no-hit them

They’ve been no-hit something like 17 or the last 18 innings.

by Wreckard on Jul 11, 2009 9:04 AM CDT reply actions

that would suck

by Heyward is the next crime dog on Jul 11, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions

And to make it more special

Sanchez’s dad had just flown in from Puerto Rico to watch him pitch in the majors for the first time.

by Zonk on Jul 11, 2009 10:04 AM CDT reply actions

I knew he was there, but I didnt know that was the first time WOW that is Special

by Heyward is the next crime dog on Jul 11, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Sucks...

that an error cost him the perfect game. I’d be willing to redefine perfect game as a no-hitter with no walks and no HBPs.

This season IS over. -BLou 6/30/09

by Kansas25 on Jul 11, 2009 11:12 AM CDT reply actions

Great accomplishment. Getting a no-hitter is one of the

toughest things to do in sports. All of the stars have to align and luck plays a big part. I am not surpised this Padre team got no-hit. They have to have one of the weakest lineups in baseball in a long time. If you can get around Adrian Gozalez, you have a chance to no-hit this team almost every game.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jul 12, 2009 10:47 AM CDT reply actions

Have to second that...

The Padres are a no-hitter waiting to happen. It finally did. Even the Nationals have more punch in their line-up. The day before this no-no, Tim Lincecum lost a no-hit bid in the 7th against the Padres.

Local news reports the next day used this theme… “…at least the Padres were not no-hit.”

Sanchez pitched a great game against a terrible line-up.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 12, 2009 2:33 PM CDT reply actions

He's a very good arm

Doesn’t matter what team you face, getting a no-hitter and a near perfect game is an achievement.

Sanchez has always had an exciting two pitch combination, while developing his arsenal. He’s a power lefty, which is rare in it’s own right. The problem for him has always been control and consistency. There were some reports this year of decreased velocity, which would be concerning, but fangraphs shows his average fastball higher than last year.

Sanchez was a guy a lot of people, including myself, thought would really be primed to take steps forwards. He hasn’t been horrible this year, but he hasn’t broken out. With their system depth in arms, I think he’s the most likely trade candidate for the Giants. They don’t want to really touch their big pool of talent, so they may try to leverage a guy like Sanchez for a bat (Sanchez and a prospect for LaRoche makes some sense to me).

The Giants are a good looking squad. Entering the season, I thought they’d have a chance to push the Dodgers for the NL West. I didn’t think the Dodgers were this good, but the Giants are in position to make a good charge in the 2nd half. Who would wnat to face Lincecum/Johnson/Cain in the playoffs, with a solid enough bullpen to back it up? The Giants future is good as well. One of the top systems in the game, with a good blend of arms (Bumgarner getting up there to join Lincecum could be sickening, Alderson would be a solid back of the rotation arm) and bats (Crawford, Posey, Villalona headline some of their top talent), if Sabean doesn’t screw things up and injuries don’t happen, they are primed to set themselves up for a solid run of excellence. Certainly, some of those prospects will falter, but if they can leverage the right player as value at the right time.

by toonsterwu on Jul 12, 2009 7:47 PM CDT reply actions