Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review said it perfectly, “If it happens, this will be the first no-hitter that everybody in the press box saw coming and called before first pitch.” Beirtempfel wasn’t talking about Charlie Morton against the Tigers, but was in fact talking about Justin Verlander facing the offensively challenged Pittsburgh Pirates. Verlander, who has two no-hitters in his career thus far, was on pace to get his third against the Pirates on Friday night.
For Pirates fans, they have had to endure 19 straight losing seasons, be the laughing stock of the league and watch their management fail year in and year out. The one thing they could hang their head on is that they haven’t been no-hit since August 14, 1971 when Bob Gibson of the Cardinals no-hit the Pirates en route to an 11-0 win. The streak of 41 years is the second longest in the majors. Though as the Pirates were still hitless after eight innings, the possibility of Mike McKenry, Josh Harrison and Neil Walker coming up with a hit in the ninth inning was a stretch.
After a groundout of McKenry, Josh Harrison swung at two straight breaking balls and missed badly on both of them. As the only Pirate not to strikeout in the game (Verlander had 12), Harrison looked to continue his hot week. On Mother’s Day, Harrison delivered a walk-off hit against the Houston Astros in extra-innings. On Wednesday, Harrison hit his first home run of the season and had 3 RBIs in the loss to the Nationals. And on May 18, Harrison took a slider on the outside part of the plate and hit it just well enough to break up the no-hitter and save face for the Pirates.
When the hit happened, you would have thought that the Pirates won the game, or better yet, the World Series. Never mind that the Pirates lost 6-0 in another shaky outing by Charlie Morton, a pitcher that hasn’t been the same since last June. Never mind that the Pirates were one-hit for the second time this season (pitcher James McDonald collected the only Pirates hit off of Matt Cain), Pirates fans have to hold their head with some pride.
While no-hitters aren’t common, when a pitcher like Verlander, arguably the best in the league, goes up against the lowly Pirates, it doesn’t come as a surprise when the team gets their lone hit after the 25th out of the game. My question is as a Pirates fan, were you pulling for Verlander to get the no-hitter?
While Clint Barmes, Nate McLouth and anyone not named Andrew McCutchen continue to embarrass themselves at the plate, take solace in the fact that your Pirates broke up a no-hitter in the ninth. It’s the moral victories that count after all. Right?
Photo credits: CBS Sports
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