Mexico celebrates historic no-hitter game
After a 19-year wait, Major League Baseball's return to Mexico is already a historic game. In a rain-soaked match, there were two home runs and a run-producing hit from Mexican player Alex Verdugo. However, the headlines will be dominated by rookie starting pitcher Walker Buehler and relief pitchers Tony Cingrani, Yimi Garcia, and Adam Liberatore. They came to the mound and threw a gem of a game: a combined no-hitter.
That's how the hot ball game returns to Mexico with only the 12th regular-season game in history where multiple pitchers kept their opponents scoreless. And the number 12 was achieved over nine innings in Monterrey.
"It's incredible, one of those incredible things, to pitch in such a place, with this atmosphere, it's amazing," Buehler said after the game. "My curve didn't work today, but that's why I have my slider, it worked very well. I'm very happy with what I just experienced."
After manager Dave Roberts made some changes to their starting rotation, taking out Clayton Kershaw and moving Kenta Maeda from Friday to Saturday, he sent 23-year-old Walker Buehler to the mound. Buehler, who made his MLB debut earlier this year, arrived at Estadio Monterrey with only two starts - the first against Miami on April 23, and the second against the San Francisco Giants on April 28.
"There were well-struck hits that were outs, the defense had a perfect game, obviously. It was a very cool night," continued the pitcher who is already in the history books.
No one knew what to expect from him, but he started the game by dominating the first three opponents. The fourth batter managed to draw a walk, but the following three were also sent back to the dugout without making any damage.
While the right-hander was doing his job, the rain started to pour heavily. It seemed like everything was going to be ruined, that the long-awaited day would be interrupted by the weather. But the game continued, and a magical moment was being crafted.
And when we say that a magical moment was being crafted, it was evident in the third inning. San Diego put two men on base through walks, and Eric Hosmer was coming up to bat, posing a threat to end the early domination and break the zero. But a line drive to shortstop followed by a throw to second completed the double play.
Three innings passed, and San Diego had no hits or runs. "It's still early," some said. But the magic continued: in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, the right-hander dominated three opponents.
With nine consecutive batters retired, the young pitcher bid farewell to Estadio Monterrey's mound. And with six hitless innings, it was time for the bullpen to take over. Would they be able to keep the magic going?
Tony Cingrani stumbled a bit, issuing two walks, but he tightened his arm and avoided breaking the zero.
Yimi Garcia put on a clinic against three opponents, creating another scoreless inning. Adam Liberatore completed the magical act with a perfect inning: three batters, three outs.
If it was a historic game for Major League Baseball, it will also be an unforgettable one for the Dodgers in Mexico. Don't doubt that they'll want to return after this.
This was their 23rd no-hitter in franchise history, but the first combined one. The last time they accomplished this feat was by Clayton Kershaw on June 18, 2014, against Colorado.
By the way, while this act was unfolding, the Dodgers secured their 15th win of the season with a single from Matt Kemp in the first inning, allowing Chris Taylor to score the 1-0 run. This was followed by back-to-back solo home runs from Taylor and Enrique Hernandez in the second inning, and a single from Mexican player Alex Verdugo in the sixth.