Not quite: Giants lefty Matt Moore falls one out shy of no-hitting Dodgers
With the San Francisco Giants in danger of falling further behind in the National League West, Matt Moore responded in near-historic fashion Thursday night, falling one out shy of no-hitting the rival Los Angeles Dodgers in his first start against them.
Dodgers rookie and MVP candidate Corey Seager dropped a soft single into right field on Moore's career-high 133rd pitch with two outs in the ninth inning. Moore departed moments later, doffing his cap to rival fans at Dodger Stadium.
“Giving up a base hit right there is a part of the game,” Moore said. “It was a fun ride all the way up until that point … there’s not a lot to be angry about. I think the smile just kind of came out.”
Moore, acquired July 31 from the Tampa Bay Rays, entered 0-3 with a 4.70 ERA as a Giant, and faced a Dodger club that won the first two games of this series, pushing their division lead to three games.
But the Dodgers might have been reeling emotionally after the trade earlier in the day of catcher A.J. Ellis, a popular clubhouse figure. Moore took advantage, striking out seven and walking three.
Before Seager's single, there were just two balls that threatened to spoil Moore's gem — both reeled in by center fielder Denard Span. The latter effort came when Kike Hernandez drove a ball into center field leading off the ninth, and Span responded with a sliding catch.
Earlier, Adrian Gonzalez's second-inning fly ball to the gap in left center field nearly fell, but Span, after a long run, snagged it just above his shoelaces.
Moore, 27, would have become the fourth pitcher in the modern era to throw a no-no after being traded during the regular season, according to ESPN. And the start came a little more than two years after Moore underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow.
Over his six-year career, he's had just one complete game in 99 starts. It came in July 2013, a two-hitter against the Boston Red Sox.
“He was excited to have a chance at it. He was very grateful and said, ‘thanks, I appreciate you giving me a chance,' ” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “He didn’t show any signs of frustration or disappointing end to give up a hit there. He pitched his heart out.”
The Giants entered the game 11-25 since the All-Star break, and would have been four games back of the Dodgers with a loss.
“(Moore) had everything working tonight,” Bochy said. “He saved us from getting swept. It was the biggest game all year.”
Now, they leave L.A. down just two games — and nearly witnesses to history. The Giants would have become the first franchise to ever record no-hitters in five consecutive seasons. And Moore nearly recorded the first Giants no-hitter against the Dodger franchise since 1915, when the New York Giants' Rube Marquard no-hit the Brooklyn Robins.
Contributing: AP
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