(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The San Francisco Giants beat the Cincinnati Reds, 6-1, on Tuesday in a duel with playoff implications.
Both teams are fighting to become one of the three Wild Card teams in the National League.
The game featured a masterpiece by Giants starter Alex Cobb, who pitched the entire nine innings with just one run allowed.
He also conceded just one hit, which happened to come after 26 outs were recorded.
In the ninth inning, Cobb retired Noelvi Marte and TJ Friedl with fly outs, with a walk to Nick Senzel sandwiched in between.
Then, rookie Spencer Steer ruined Cobb’s no-hit bid (and shutout) with a run-scoring double.
Had Cobb retired him, he would have been out number 27 and we would be celebrating a no-hitter right now.
Instead, Cobb enters the “so close” group, per ESPN Stats & Info.
“Alex Cobb is the 3rd pitcher in the last 5 seasons to come up one out short of a no-hitter, joining Dylan Cease and Miles Mikolas,” they tweeted.
Alex Cobb is the 3rd pitcher in the last 5 seasons to come up one out short of a no-hitter, joining Dylan Cease and Miles Mikolas. pic.twitter.com/Q7tpL6olhf
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 30, 2023
Getting 26 outs only to fail in the quest of obtaining that last one has to be one of the most frustrating feelings in professional sports.
It happens often, though, so Cobb is certainly not alone.
For now, he will take a hard-earned victory as San Francisco keeps fighting for that Wild Card spot.
He has been a solid, reliable starter for the Giants all year long, with an excellent 3.57 ERA.
Hopefully he gets another chance to flirt with (and complete) a no-hitter because there is not a more thrilling feeling for a pitcher.
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