Giants' left-hander Jonathan Sanchez, in his first start since a two-week banishment to the bullpen, pitched the franchise's first no-hitter in 33 years, blanking the Padres, 8-0, on Friday night at AT&T Park.
Sanchez, 26, retired the first 22 hitters before Chase Headley reached on an error by third baseman Juan Uribe, the only gaffe that denied Sanchez a perfect game. Sanchez retired the final five batters to finish the no-hitter. Center fielder Aaron Rowand made a leaping catch at the fence for the second out of the ninth inning.
Sanchez then struck out Everth Cabrera to end it. It was his 11th strikeout.
"I feel awesome," Sanchez said. "I didn't think about the no-hitter till the seventh inning. Aaron Rowand was awesome."
It was the Giants' first no-hitter since John Montefusco blanked the Braves on Sept. 29, 1976. It was the first no-hitter by a Giants lefty since Hall of Famer Carl Hubbell pitched one for the New York Giants against Pittsburgh on May 8, 1929.
Sanchez had started the year in the Giants rotation, but he was sent to the bullpen last month after going 4-10 with a 5.54 ERA. He returned to the rotation after Randy Johnson was placed on the disabled list earlier this week.
Sanchez said he had made some adjustments with pitching coach Dave Righetti during his two weeks as a reliever.
"I just try to slow my body down and stay on top of the ball better," Sanchez said. "Righetti was great."
Sanchez had never even pitched a complete game, let alone a shutout.Among the first to congratulate Sanchez was Johnson, the last major leaguer to throw a perfect game, and Righetti, who tossed a no-hitter for the New York Yankees on July 4, 1983.
Adding to the drama, Sanchez's father, Sigfredo, had flown in from Puerto Rico for the game. It was the first time his father had seen him start a major league game in person. He had seen him pitch in relief two years ago.
"This is a gift for him," said Sanchez. "I feel awesome."
It was the first no-hitter in the majors this season. The last was pitched by Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs, on Sept. 14, 2008.
"On film [Sanchez] throws the ball hard, but it looks like he doesn't know where it's going," San Diego's Tony Gwynn Jr. said. "Today he looked exactly like he knew where it was going."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Saw the last 3 innings on MLB network. Congrats to him.
great game. devastating breaking pitch. a fantastic slider. how'd a guy like this have a 5.54 era?
At the beginning of the season he was absolutely awful, no control and could only pitch the fastball. Being a San Franciscan and a huge Giants fan, I can tell you there were about 3 starts where he blew the game in the first inning
That being said though, this makes this accomplishment even greater and a big CONGRATS to him.
Been a Giants fan forever. Remember the last no hitter. the reason the Giants hang on to him and have not given into temptation to trade him(lots of teams would love to have him.)is fhat he could be as dominate as Lincecum or Cain. If he could get his head on straight.
Yeah you no hit my crappy padres.. big deal.. you are still a filthy "NoCal"
a little touchy about your "crappy" padres?
Maybe now they can trade him!
I bet he's gonna want his dad to be at every game he starts from now on.If vegas gave odds on him throwing a no hitter last night...could you imagine?
Is Barry Bonds retired yet?
Moments like this define great moments in sports
Congratulations John
I'll bet Sanchez never forgets Juan Uribe. No hitters are very special, but a Perfect Game? What is there, may be 10 in the hundreds of thousands of MLB games that have been played?