I haven't moved from my square on the couch for the last three innings. I knew he had it by the second pitch of the ninth (my Manny Homer Sense was tingling - it apparently works for pitchers, too), but didn't dare say a damn thing. Like watching the second season of the X-files - you know Mulder isn't gonna die, but that takes away from so much of the fun.
For those of you who don't follow baseball at all or the Red Sox specifically, Red Sox rookie pitcher Clay Bucholtz just pitched a no-hitter. The first no-hitter pitched by a Red Sox rookie ever. Poor kid was trying to make sure no one saw him crying after the last strikeout. Big hug from the many-year veteran Schilling, who's never pitched a no-hitter (came within one strike earlier this year). Even bigger hug from Big Papi, who, having been in the middle of a throng of congratulating players, looked like he was protecting the kid in a big Papi bear hug. The whole thing was so freaking cute. I'm not even sure it's hit the kid yet.
What a way to start September. He wasn't even supposed to start today! Yesterday's starter was injured, so Tavarez pitched yesterday and they called this kid up from Pawtucket to pitch his second game ever in the majors (and his first at Fenway, which tells you about what a solid head this kid's got on his shoulders that the fans couldn't shake him). Links in the morning (I'm actually surprised MLB.com doesn't have a story up yet).
Immediate Edit:
When something like this happens, the beat writer has a story ready to immediately post in case it happens. Not-so-immediate Edit:
From the O's side.