Giolito gets 1st no-hitter of ’20
Lucas Giolito and catcher James McCann celebrate after Tuesday night’s
CHICAGO — Lucas Giolito pitched the first nohitter of the pandemicdelayed season, striking out 13 and permitting just one runner in leading the White Sox over the Pirates 4-0 on Tuesday night.
With the seats at Guaranteed Rate Field empty, the hollers of his teammates echoed around the ballpark after right fielder Adam Engel extended to catch Erik Gonzalez’s slicing drive toward the line for the final out.
“I’ve been working for this type of game for a while now, and it’s really cool that we got it done,” Giolito said.
An All-Star last year, the 26-year-old Giolito (3-2) matched his career high for strikeouts set in his previous start against the Tigers.
Only a four-pitch walk to Gonzalez leading off the fourth got in Giolito’s way of perfection. The righthander threw 101 pitches and made quick work of the Pirates, who came into the game batting just .229 this season and having the worst record in the majors.
The White Sox rushed toward the mound after the final out to celebrate Giolito’s first no-hitter.
Giolito was fully aware in the later innings what was at stake.
“After the seventh, six more outs, looking at who I was facing, became very, very, very possible,” he said, “and then we were able to get it done.”
Giolito pitched the 19th no-hitter in White Sox history and first since Philip Humber threw a perfect game in 2012 against the Mariners in Seattle.
Indians: The Indians may be without manager Terry Francona even longer than expected. Francona has already missed 15 games with a gastrointestinal issue, and Chris Antonetti, the team’s president of baseball operations, disclosed Tuesday that the 61-year-old manager has also been dealing with blood clotting problems. Antonetti said doctors at the Cleveland Clinic inserted a stent last week to help Francona’s blood flow “around what was a clogged filter in his veins.” Antonetti said there’s no timetable on when he’ll back. “The outlook is obviously very good, but he’s banged up from the procedure,” Antonetti said. While Francona’s been away, first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. has filled in as manager . ... The Indians will recall RHP Mike Clevinger to pitch Wednesday against the Twins for the time since he and teammate Zach Plesac broke team rules and MLB COVID-19 protocols and were demoted for their behavior. Clevinger last pitched for the Indians on Aug. 5. His start in the series finale against the AL Central-leading Twins represents a fresh start for the free-spirited levinger, who not only angered his teammates by leaving the team’s Chicago hotel with Plesac on Aug. 8 but for not being truthful about his actions. Plesac will pitch again for the Indians when an opportunity arises.
Rays, Orioles: Tyler Glasnow struck out a career-high 13 over seven innings and the AL Eastleading Rays beat the visiting Orioles 4-2. Glasnow (1-1) fanned nine of his final 10 batters. The 6-foot-8 right-hander allowed two runs, five hits and one walk. Hunter Renfroe and Manuel Margot hit back-to-back HRs for the Rays, who have won eight of 10 . ... Orioles LHP Wade LeBlanc will miss the rest of the season because of an elbow problem. The injury has been diagnosed as a stress reaction. The 36-year-old started six games, going 1-0 with an 8.06 ERA.
Tigers: Jonathan Schoop hit a grand slam in a five-run sixth as host Tigers beat the Cubs 7-1. The Tigers have won three of five since a nine-game losing streak dropped them out of serious postseason contention. The Cubs still lead the NL Central despite going 5-8 in their last 13 games. Spencer Turnbull (3-2) picked up the win with 52⁄3 scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and walked three while striking out five. Cubs starter Tyler Chatwood (2-2) struggled in his return from the IL.
Angels, Astros: Albert Pujols continued his climb up the career charts Monday night, passing Alex Rodriguez with his 2,087th RBI. Hank Aaron is the record holder at 2,297. Babe Ruth is next on some lists with 2,214, even though 224 occurred before the RBI became an official statistic in 1920. “Definitely it’s an honor,” Pujols said after the road loss to the Astros. “Congrats to my friend @PujolsFive on another amazing milestone! One of the best hitters ever and an incredible person,” Rodriguez tweeted. Pujols, 40, a three-time MVP and 10time All-Star, has 659 career HRs, one behind Willie Mays for fifth.