PHOENIX – In addition to playing baseball, Tyler Gilbert was contemplating becoming an electrician. On Saturday, he turned off the lights on the Padres, and illuminated his own career with a feat rarely seen.
Gilbert became the first pitcher in 68 years to throw a no-hitter in his debut start in the majors as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat San Diego 7-0.
It was the eighth no-hitter game recorded this season in the majors, which equaled a record.
Gilbert joined Bumpus Jones, who achieved a double zero in his major league debut on October 15, 1892 with the Cincinnati Reds.
The other pitchers to achieve this feat in their first start were Bobo Holloman, on May 6, 1953 with the St. Louis Browns, and Theodore Breitenstein, with the same team, on October 4, 1891.
All eight no-hitters in the season equaled the record set in 1884, the first year that over-the-shoulder pitches were allowed.
Gilbert struck out Treng Grisham and Ha-Seong Kim in the ninth inning, before Tommy Pham hit a line out to Dominican center fielder Ketel Marte.
Jubilant, the Diamondbacks threw their gloves into the air and ran to the mound, congratulating the unexpected hero who spent six seasons in the minors and was selected in the winter.
“Crazy!” Gilbert exclaimed. “I’m probably not going to digest this on another day. For now I don’t know what happened ”.
The 27-year-old pitcher had 102 pitches, including 64 strikes. He rarely went past 90 mph with his fastball, but he confused the Padres with curves, and leaned on his defense, which got outs with several balls that the Padres hit hard.
Pavin Smith caught a line from Adam Frazier and stood up at first to make the double play, retiring Tommy Pham in the fourth act. Gilbert himself captured a line from Eric Hosmer to end the fifth episode.
Venezuelan David Peralta jumped to catch a ball off the wall after Austin Nola’s long fly ball in the eighth inning.
It took Gilbert just three pitches to settle the eighth inning, setting the scene for the drama of the ninth. Marte caught the line for the last out, running from center field.
“I tried to concentrate as much as I could,” Gilbert said. “But in that last inning, I listened to everything they said.”
Those who celebrated the Diamondbacks’ first home no-hitter in history included Gilbert’s family, who were also present on Aug. 3, when the pitcher made his relief debut.
Gilbert did not play in 2020, as the minor league season was canceled due to the pandemic. During the summer, he was learning electricity with his dad in order to earn some money.
The no-hitter game has clarified your preferences.
“I’d rather play than wire,” Gilbert said with a smile. “I hope I don’t offend you, dad.”
The feat was absolutely unexpected by the Diamondbacks, the worst team in the major leagues this season. It is the third no-hitter in franchise history, and the first since Edwin Jackson got it on June 25, 2010.
Gilbert (1-1) struck out five and walked a pair.
The Chicago Cubs had their most recent no-hitter, with a combined effort, on June 24.
In this campaign, the other double zero encounters were achieved by Joe Musgrove of San Diego on April 9, Carlos Rodón of the Chicago White Sox on 14, John Means of Baltimore on May 5, Wade Miley of Cincinnati on 7, Spencer Turnbull of Detroit on the 18th and Corey Kluber of the New York Yankees on the 19th.
Additionally, Arizona’s Madison Bumgarner had a seven-inning no-hitter as part of a doubleheader on April 25. The rules of the majors during the pandemic did not recognize that performance as a match without unstoppable.
For the Padres, Manny Machado 3-0.
For the Diamondbacks, the Dominican Marte. Venezuelans Asdrúbal Cabrera 1-0, Peralta 4-2 with one scored and one produced
.