Sweeney Spoils No-Hitter

Game Date: August 31, 2007
Twins 5, Royals 0 / Box Score
WP: Baker (8-6), LP: Meche (7-12)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 60-74

For the first time since June 17, Mike Sweeney walked to the plate knowing that Scott Baker had been busting Royals hitters inside with fastballs all night and getting many others out with sliders and cutters away. He also came to the plate knowing that people all across the country were watching (via ESPN) because Baker was on the verge of throwing a no-hitter. Sweeney said that before the ninth inning he learned that he would be pinch-hitting for Tony Pena, so he watched some video of Baker and he talked to some of the guys who had already faced him earlier in the game. Baker jumped ahead 0-1, and then he threw an inside fastball that Mike Sweeney stroked into left center field for a single to break up the no-hitter.

"He's a quality hitter and he has been for a long time," Baker is quoted as saying after the game. "If there's one guy who could do it, it's him. I made the right pitch. It might have been a little up, and he put a decent swing on it and it worked for him."

Before Sweeney's hit, I couldn't help but think back to the only no-hitter ever thrown against the Royals--when Nolan Ryan did so on May 15, 1973. Being no-hit by Nolan Ryan is acceptable, maybe even expected. But I didn't want to see Scott Baker do it. He's under .500 in his career with an ERA near 5.00. They guy pitched well last night, but I didn't want to see his name in the Royal's record book next to Nolan Ryan. Thankfully, I won't have to.

The Royals and Twins play again in about 20 minutes. Brandon Duckworth (2-3, 2.94) will make his first start for the Royals since April 13. Carlos Silva (10-13, 4.33) will go for the Twins. Duckworth is 1-0 against the Twins in his career with a 1.93 ERA. Silva is 4-2 against the Royals with a 3.94 ERA.