‘Crazy’: Gilbert’s 1st start no-hitter
PHOENIX — Tyler Gilbert became the first pitcher in 68 years to throw a no-hitter in his first big league start, lifting the Arizona Diamondbacks over the San Diego Padres 7-0 on Saturday night with the recordtying eighth no-hitter in the majors this season.
The last to accomplish the feat in his first start was Bobo Holloman of the St. Louis Browns on May 6, 1953. Bumpus Jones also did it in his major league debut with the Cincinnati Reds on Oct. 15, 1892, and Theodore Breitenstein threw one in his first start for the Browns on Oct. 4, 1891.
The eight no-hitters matched the mark set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was allowed.
Gilbert struck out Trent Grisham and Ha-Seong Kim in the ninth before Tommy Pham lined out to center fielder Ketel Marte. Joyous Diamondbacks players threw their gloves in the air and rushed the mound, mobbing the surprising hero who spent six seasons in the minors and was selected in the AAA portion of the Rule 5 draft last winter.
“Crazy,” Gilbert said. “It’s not going to hit me for probably another day. I don’t know what just happened.”
The 27-year-old Gilbert threw 102 pitches, including 64 strikes. He rarely delivered his fastball above 90 mph, but he effectively peppered the Padres with breaking pitches and leaned on his defense.
Pavin Smith caught a liner from Adam Frazier and then stepped on first to double off Pham in the fourth. There was a line drive snagged by Gilbert off Eric Hosmer to end the fifth. Third baseman Drew Ellis made a diving catch in the seventh. David Peralta made a leaping grab at the wall on Austin Nola’s long fly ball in the eighth.
Gilbert (1-1) needed just three pitches to get through the eighth, setting up a dramatic ninth. Marte caught the sinking line drive for the final out while running in from center field.
“I tried to tune out as much as I could,” Gilbert said. “But that last inning, I heard everything.”
Among those celebrating the first Diamondbacks’ nohitter was Gilbert’s family. They were also on hand for his debut in relief on Aug. 3.
It was a stunning performance for the Diamondbacks, who have the worst record in the big leagues this season. It’s the third nohitter in franchise history.
The Chicago Cubs threw the majors’ most recent nohitter with a combined effort June 24. The other nohitters this year were thrown by San Diego’s Joe Musgrove (April 9), Carlos Rodon of the Chicago White Sox (April 14), Baltimore’s John Means (May 5), former Astro Wade Miley of Cincinnati (May 7), Detroit’s Spencer Turnbull (May 18) and the New York Yankees’ Corey Kluber (May 19).