Record Six Pitchers Combine on First No-Hitter Against New York Yankees in 45 Years

The Associated Press ^ | Jun 11, 2003 | Ronald Blum

[Pharmboy]

NEW YORK (AP) - A record six Houston Astros pitchers combined Wednesday night on the first no-hitter against the New York Yankees in 45 years. Houston was forced to use its bullpen after starter Roy Oswalt was injured. Relievers Pete Munro, Kirk Saarloos, Brad Lidge, Octavio Dotel and Billy Wagner finished to lead the Astros over the Yankees 8-0.

It was the most pitchers ever to combine on a no-hitter in major league history - four had twice done the trick. The Yankees had gone 6,980 games - the longest streak in major league history - without being no-hit, since Hoyt Wilhelm's 1-0 victory for Baltimore on Sept. 20, 1958.

The last time New York was held hitless at Yankee Stadium was on Aug. 25, 1952, by Detroit's Virgil Trucks.

The closest New York came to a hit was in the fifth inning, when Alfonso Soriano sent a fly ball into short left field. Lance Berkman ran in, stuck out his glove and made a tumbling catch.

Third baseman Geoff Blum made a barehanded pickup on Juan Rivera in the third inning and threw him out at first.

Astros pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts, including four by Dotel in the eighth - which tied the major league record for an inning.

Soriano reached during the inning when he struck out on a wild pitch.

AP-ES-06-11-03 2209EDT

[Pharmboy]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Signed,
A Mets Fan

[Pharmboy]

Too bad Clemens wasn't pitching...

[Rennes Templar]

First the Cubs take a series from them, and now this. This truly could be the Cubs year...strange things are happening.

[xJones]

It ain't fair, I tells ya. The Texas Rangers coulnd't find a blind pitcher during a total eclipse. They had SIX to put in there?

[tallhappy]

A no hitter with six pitchers is like ... what?

Artificial sweetener. Eating plastic fruit.

Almost like cheating.

[Arkinsaw]

Four strikeouts in an inning. Love that one.

[smith288]

First the Cubs take a series from them, and now this. This truly could be the Cubs year...strange things are happening.

And the Reds taking 2 of 3.

[Pharmboy]

Well, it WAS the Yankees...and that's a long spell without a no-hitter.

[catfish1957]

Sorry...this is the Astros year (unless Oswalt stays injured)

[rs79bm]

[rs79bm]

A no hitter with six pitchers is like ... what? Artificial sweetener. Eating plastic fruit. Almost like cheating.

Jeez, I think Houston was just trying to win the game. It also helps when the Yankees don't get a hit.

[Chairman Fred]

From someone who used to spend as much time as possible in Fenway (I once worked in a restaurant in Kenmore Square)(1978)(!!):

YANKEES SUCK! YANKEES SUCK!

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

*snicker*

A Red Sox fan

[Petronski]

That's the last
time you sonsabitches
are coming to the Bronx!

[speedy]

Yep. Only 85 years since that last title for your lads. Something big could happen any century now.

[Pharmboy]

Nice group! It's even diverse...I believe Saarloos is a Finnish name--or Norwegian perhaps?

[speedy]

Well, I admire your courage in admitting to being a Mets fan. I question your judgment, but I admire your courage.

[Pharmboy]

Something big could happen any century now.

And may we all be around to help the BoSox celebrate!

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Tha Yankees lose! Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Yankees lose!!

[Pharmboy]

It ain't easy this year...not even Glavine helped. Very sad...but...but...WAIT'LL NEXT YEAR!