The Los Angeles Dodgers’ season so far has been nothing to cry about. Entering Wednesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, LA sported a MLB-best (89-25) record, winning 15 of 19 games in August. Despite the success, nothing will top the game that pitcher Rich Hill had one heartbreaking night in The ‘Burgh.
Hill took the mound against Pittsburgh and started mowing down batters; striking out the first two in a 1-2-3 bottom of the first. Through eight innings, Hill had a perfect game, striking out ten. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff, on the other hand, was also doing well.
During that same stretch Pirates right-hander Trevor Williams struck out five in a 0-0 ball game, but all eyes were on Hill. In MLB history, there have been only 23 perfect games, Hill was looking to be the 24th; that is, until the ninth inning came along.
In the bottom of the ninth, score still tied 0-0, Pittsburgh SS Jordy Mercer hits a ground ball to Dodgers third baseman Logan Forsythe and he botches it. E5 given to Forsythe, as Hill’s perfect game is broken up, allowing his first base runner of the night.
Three batters later, Hill’s Dodgers get out of the “jam”, as LA and Pittsburgh head to extras with Hill’s no-hitter and shutout still intact.
LA fails to score a run in the top of the 10th; but, in the bottom of the frame, he leaves one over the plate. With one swing of the bat… NO-NO NO MORE! Pittsburgh’s Josh Harrison hits the walk-off home run to left field giving the Pirates the 1-0 victory, marking the first time in MLB history a no-hitter is broken by a walk-off home run.
“It is disappointing to make one bad pitch, but they played a great game, too,” said Hill after the game. “They pitched their tails off, you can’t discredit that.”
Brighter days are ahead for (9-5) Rich Hill. Los Angeles still remains in clear control of the NL West at 20.5 games above Arizona. But nothing may be able to top this infamous night.
