Sometimes you watch your team get shut down by an opposing pitcher and wonder, "How is this guy doing it?" (Exhibit A: Livan Hernandez's 4-hit shutout earlier Saturday.) This was not one of those nights. Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez came out throwing in the 96-98 mph range on his fastball, even hitting 100 on at least one occasion. His slider was breaking so much that it was often breaking too much and being called a ball. His curveball was unhittable.
The only question, really, was whether Ubaldo was going to make it through the full 9 innings. After 4 innings and 1 batter, he had walked 6 Braves, and was often going deep into counts. After 5 innings, he had thrown more than 80 pitches. He had even balked.*
* Useless fact -- As near as I can tell from baseball-reference, Ubaldo Jimenez is the first pitcher ever to throw a 9-inning no-hitter and also balk. Stats like this make me love baseball even more.
In the 6th inning, though, Jimenez made what seems to have been a key adjustment. Since he was having much better control with runners on base, he started throwing from the stretch at all times. From that point on, his control was much better; he had only one 3-ball count in the last four innings.
The only serious scare that Jimenez suffered en route to the no-hitter came in the 7th inning, when Troy Glaus (not coincidentally, the recipient of the lone 3-ball count after the 5th inning) smoked one into the left-center gap. It seemed destined to be a double, but local kid Dexter Fowler somehow tracked it down and made a spectacular diving catch. What made the play even more amazing is that Fowler had been stationed well into right-center. After the play, even Jimenez said "Wow!" Fowler now joins the ranks of DeWayne Wise in the "I saved a no-hitter" club.
Jimenez would receive all the support he would need in the first inning when Troy Tulowitzki drove in Carlos Gonzalez with a sacrifice fly. Jimenez helped himself in the fourth, singling in a run with a line shot up the middle. The runner may well have been out had Nate McLouth made a good throw, but instead the throw was 15 feet up the 3rd-base line and short. Carlos Gonzalez would follow with a 2-run double to give Jimenez some breathing room.
For the Braves, Kenshin Kawakami clearly did not have his best stuff, giving up 8 hits and 4 runs (all earned) in 5 innings. He walked 2, struck out 2, and had a WPA of -0.209. Still, I don't think too many guys could have matched Ubaldo tonight, so we can't really blame this loss on Kenshin. On a positive note, the Braves' pen was fantastic again. Rookie Jonny Venters made an excellent MLB debut, giving just 1 walk and 1 hit in 3 scoreless innings, striking out 2. Jesse Chavez also pitched well, striking out 1 in a perfect inning.
Obviously, tonight just wasn't the Braves' night. And a large share of that credit belongs to Ubaldo. I don't think our hitters had a particularly bad night. They had good plate discipline (hence the 6 walks), and for the most part weren't swinging at garbage. Jimenez was just too good. Braves fans, please refrain from slamming our hitters over this game. Honestly, saying that is unfair to Ubaldo--he earned this one. (With an assist from Dexter Fowler.)
As a final gesture of respect, I'm giving Jimenez's final line its own paragraph. And some bold for good measure. And blockquote. Congratulations, Ubaldo. That was a great game you pitched. I just wish you had pitched it against some other team (preferably the Mets).
9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 6 BB, 7 K, 1 BK; 128 pitches (72 strikes); 0.320 WPA pitching and 0.56 WPA hitting
Congratulations, Ubaldo. That was a great game you pitched. I just wish you had pitched it against some other team (preferably the Mets).
MVP (hmmm.... I wonder): Jimenez
MVPs (non-Jimenez division): Carlos Gonzalez-- 2/5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, R, 0.157 WPA; Dexter Fowler-- 0/5, but what a play
LVP: Kawakami
MVPILE (MVP in a losing effort): Jonny Venters
Clutch Play: Gonzalez's 2-run double, 0.134 WPA
0 recs | 60 comments
Watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n1NNVKBPkE
And feel better.
Scott Coleman - April 17, 2010
It’s like Pepto-Bismol… now I don’t feel like I’m gonna throw up!
schlagdawg - April 17, 2010
lol
romone_braves91 - April 17, 2010
That really does make you feel alot better…lol
bashby20sh - April 17, 2010
I will
never, ever get tired of that clip
Jacob Peterson - April 17, 2010
This is probably the happiest I will ever be to attend a game that the Braves loose. The wind definitely knocked down a ton of well hit balls
kauf67 - April 17, 2010
Man I'm glad I went to Alabama's a-day
Today..would have been cool to witness a no-hitter but not against the braves. However congrats to Jemeniz, just wish it wasn’t our boys that had to be the victim of such a good performance. Let’s take the series tomorrow and have plenty of hits hopefully!!
SidKotchman - April 17, 2010 via mobile
Jimenez pitched great but I hope he buys Dexter Fowler a steak and a bear or two tonight
Shoert - April 17, 2010
correction
a “beer” or two, I would be more than surprised if he bought Fowler a “Bear”
Shoert - April 17, 2010
Whoa
2 Bears! I don’t know if Fowler wants those
Jacob Peterson - April 17, 2010
IDK
Would make for a very good security system at his house
Shoert - April 17, 2010
Especially the “bears” in Atlanta . . .
royhobbs - April 18, 2010
For $20...
….you can probably rent one of those “bears.” For a short time, at least. Heard Craig Ferguson say something along these lines in his monologue one night about L.A.; incredibly funny…
Old Braves' Fan - April 18, 2010
Man, that’s an awesome quote. Going out on a limb here, but a “steak and a bear or two” in gift form would probably be a good way to lose your center fielder. Once the bears starting duking it out over the t-bone, Dexter is probably not long for this world…..Give him a steak OR a bear, but DEAR GOD, don’t give them to Dex all at once Ubaldo, you sadistic bastard you.
Beating a dead horse here…time for bed.
Steinmanberg7 - April 18, 2010
Couldn't believe it when Jimenez only broke out the curve in the 9th
It ain’t gettin any easier tomorrow with De La Rosa on the mound. Our offense is going to be our achilies heel again this year – anyone else getting that feeling? (not just saying that because of today’s debacle) we have 4 guys barely hitting .200 trotting out their every day…
Nova Scotia Steve - April 17, 2010 via mobile
Not De La Rosa
Greg Smith
Jacob Peterson - April 17, 2010
Greg Smith
Sounds much less intimidating than Jorge De La Rosa – Good news i guess. No story on braves.com yet…Bobby must be spinnin some major tales (excuses) to reporters down in the clubhouse
Nova Scotia Steve - April 17, 2010 via mobile
Tip my hat to Jimenez
I said before the game started that this guy was good but I did not expect a no hitter. I am glad that I watched the game from beginning to end. You gotta like watching a guy throw fastballs btw 96-98 mph with movement beyond the 120 pitch count. He threw 100 mph like 6 times in the game. The guy was a beast. The end. Let’s go get them tomorrow and take the series.
romone_braves91 - April 17, 2010
Ugh. Five games on the diamond went well today. One didn't.
AllSaintsDay - April 17, 2010
Also, after talking to my roommate (who's, if anything, an M's fan)
he asked: how dominant is a 6 walk no-hitter? Would it equate to a 6-hit, no walk outing? 3 hits? What?
AllSaintsDay - April 18, 2010
Walks are a poor measure of dominance
I would say a 6-walk no-hitter is just as dominant as a perfect game, generally speaking. Though I do think that Randy Johnson was more dominant in his game than Ubaldo was. But Ubaldo was much more dominant than, say, Mark Buehrle was.
Jacob Peterson - April 18, 2010
I was there tonight!!
Just put a video of the celebration on Braves Love. What a crazy day! (I should have the other pics from Fri & Sat up within the next couple of days too.)
Lauren T. - April 17, 2010
Embarrassing
The braves hitters should be embarrassed on getting shutout in the hit column tonight. There really isn’t an excuse for no major league to team to get no hit. (even tho Ubaldo was throwing 100 tonight). It only counts as one loss and the Braves still can win the series with a win tomorrow.
deewill23 - April 18, 2010
You’re right. Maybe we should just release them all. And why do they have to have an “excuse” for getting no-hit? Yeah, they are major leagures. But they are also going up against major leaguers. It happens.
dunnytwogloves - April 18, 2010
+1
Jacob Peterson - April 18, 2010
I know it happens
I didn’t say anything about releasing them all. you just made that stupid comment…. I know it happens, but not many (if any) world series champions have gotten no hit during the season that they won the title. Since the Braves goal this season is to take Bobby back to the WS one more time, they shouldn’t get no hit by anyone. That isn’t a sign of true champion (imo). You would think with all of the braves good hitters (Prado, Chipper, McCann, Glaus, Esco and Heyward) we can manage to achieve at least one hit. We failed to do that, but like I said in my first post. It only counts as one loss and the Braves still can win the series with a win today. GO BRAVOS
deewill23 - April 18, 2010
I think you contradicted yourself
They weren’t no-hit because they have a terrible offense.
Andrew T. Fisher - April 18, 2010
While you’re probably right in that no team that has been no-hit before has ever won the title during the year they’ve been no hit…I’m sure there is no correlation between the two (unless the no-hitter accorded in the World Series). Actually, didn’t somebody like a Bobby Larsen pitch a perfect game in the World Series??
But as you also said, it’s only one loss. And we win today and we’ve won the series.
dunnytwogloves - April 18, 2010
They got no-hit by Ubaldo Jiminez...
The Mets could barely get a hit in 3 innings of Felipe Lopez and Joe Mather
Stephen Schmidt - April 18, 2010
Looks like I picked the
wrongright day toquit sniffing glueamphetaminessmokinggo out to the wineries instead of watching Los BravosBraveSaluki - April 18, 2010
And honestly, I would rather have my team be no-hit by Ubaldo than have my lineup only manage 2 runs in 3 innings batting against position players, like a certain Metropolitan team
BraveSaluki - April 18, 2010
exactly!!
I understand it’s a win and all for the Mets, but man, they sure were celebrating like they accomplished something big.
dunnytwogloves - April 18, 2010
LOLMets
Excellent point.
Jacob Peterson - April 18, 2010
royhobbs - April 18, 2010
Apparently
That happened a few times…
schlagdawg - April 18, 2010
Thanks for being aware
and snapping a pic. I completely missed this.
Lizziebeth - April 18, 2010
Oh hey Cleveland won again.
DogDaysofSummer - April 18, 2010
I think there is a completely different mindset about the loss between Braves fans who were at the game and those who saw it on TV. I got to witness a no-hitter in person, and it was incredible!! We bowed down to a great pitching performance. But I admit that I’d be pretty bummed if I had only watched it on TV. But I didn’t! Haha, and I’m proud of the Braves fans who stuck around and gave Ubaldo a standing ovation. He deserved it.
Gage23 - April 18, 2010
lol
All I could hear was a mixture of booing and clapping. Strange, how it works out. But definitely feel privileged to have been there myself.
Superstition kicking in, but I don’t think I’ll ever wear this crappy Heyward breaking glass shirt ever again.
royhobbs - April 18, 2010
you really have one of those?
I thought it was a joke.
Scott Coleman - April 18, 2010
I know I'm an awesome graphic designer
But I assure you that the shirt is real, and I actually have one. Man of my word
royhobbs - April 18, 2010
Heard a mixture in my section, too, but overall clapping and cheering.
Lizziebeth - April 18, 2010
The last year we had a game with no hits…we won the division. It’s a sign. That having been said, I’m glad I spent the evening as a standby DD and didn’t watch this game live. It would have been miserable.
bravos1984 - April 18, 2010
I like where your heads at.
10-4 - April 18, 2010
LVP
You cannot in your right mind give the LVP to KK. If anything, reward him for getting hosed by his crappy offense after McCann’s homerun off of Lincecum and the piss poor defensive effort that ended up costing him the game at SF by sparing him one start before you toss him under the bus on a night when this piss poor offense couldn’t take advantage in any way of SIX walks. So Jimenez was dominant, I agree compeletely- but this offense needs to held accountable for its SUCKING. KK and the entire pitching staff deserves better – this offense for the most part has been a bag of shit so far and you need to hold them accountable.
Respectfully sorry for the rant.
CharlotteChop - April 18, 2010 via mobile
Hey
I had to give it to someone… He didn’t pitch all that well. And honestly, I don’t think any of the hitters deserved it.
If you had actually read the whole article, you’d know that I don’t think the offense sucked tonight. They were just outmatched by a great pitcher. This game was all Ubaldo. To complain about our offense is just silly.
Jacob Peterson - April 18, 2010
well
at least it isnt Cook pitching against us tomorrow. For those that dont remember he threw a complete game shut out against us last year.
Hats off to Venters in his ML debut
drumzalicious - April 18, 2010
Venters was pretty damn impressive.
I hope Bobby starts using him more often instead of trotting Moylan out every single night.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - April 18, 2010
This!
fandave - April 18, 2010
This
romone_braves91 - April 18, 2010
Gosh, he was throwing some great stuff. The Rockies couldn’t figure him out at all.
Gage23 - April 18, 2010
When did Venters get called up? At least the Caps won.
TradeAndruw - April 18, 2010
How many times have the Braves been no-hit?
I feel like it’s happened every year for the last four to five years.
13thieves - April 18, 2010
Answered my own question
Turns out that I was on the internet.
The Braves were last no hit by Randy Johnson in 2004.
But if anyone can find out how many times the Braves have spoiled a no-hitter in the eighth and ninth inning I’d love to see that stat.
13thieves - April 18, 2010
Off the top of my head
in 2008, Brian McCann spoiled Jason Bergmann’s no-hit bid in the 7th or 8th with a homer.
In 2008, Mark Teixeira spoiled Hiroki Kuroda’s bid for a perfecto with an 8th inning double.
royhobbs - April 18, 2010
I’m 49 years old, that was the 2nd no-hitter I’ve ever watched start to finish. I was pulling for the Braves all night, but glad to be able to watch what seemed like a nice guy have a great night.
Now on to Sunday. Chipper and McCann need to call one of their famous closed door meetings and get this offense back on track. Use the no-hitter as a bottom and get back to being a team with no easy outs. We have a good team put together, we are 2 games back of Philly while playing a much more difficult schedule than Philly. Right now would be a really good time for a 4 game win streak to start.
bighop - April 18, 2010
Yeah
Ubaldo is a good guy. He was also on track to be a doctor before signing with the Rockies, so he’s smart too. Good for him. Now let’s kick the crap out of Greg Smith!
Jacob Peterson - April 18, 2010
I’m hoping the “post-Lowe offensive ineptitude” got used up last night
bighop - April 18, 2010
Hard to watch
I am sure we would love to point fingers all around and it would be easy to, but hats off to Ubaldo pitched poorly and perfectly and made the necessary adjustments when he realized he was running the risk of getting in trouble. Hate to see us get no hit but its a great feat.
RazorbackBrave80 - April 18, 2010
It sucks when it happens to my team
But a no-hitter is a no-hitter, and it’s impressive as hell. I’ll say it: Ubaldo Jiminez is my daddy.
FineHamAbounds - April 18, 2010
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Talking Chop to post a comment.