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The_Dude · 06-11-2003, 06:23 PM

NEW YORK - Forced to scramble after starter Roy Oswalt was injured, a record six Houston pitchers combined on the first no-hitter against the New York Yankees (news) in 45 years.

AP Photo

Relievers Pete Munro, Kirk Saarloos, Brad Lidge, Octavio Dotel and Billy Wagner (news) finished to lead the Astros over the Yankees 8-0 Wednesday night.

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 against Saarloos, when Alfonso Soriano sent a fly ball into short left field. Lance Berkman, who hit a two-run run homer in the third inning, 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.

Wagner struck out Jorge Posada (news) and pinch-hitter Bubba Trammell (news) to start the ninth. He then got Hideki Matsui to ground to first base with one pitch to complete the Astros' 10th no-hitter, the first since Darryl Kile (news) against the New York Mets (news) on Sept. 8, 1993.

With Yankees' fans standing and applauding, Wagner pumped his fist as he stepped on first base to end it. Many the Astros came out of the dugout and onto the field to give high-fives.

This was the second no-hitter in the majors this season. Kevin Millwood (news) pitched one for Philadelphia on April 27 against San Francisco.

Overall, it was the third no-hitter in a game between AL and NL teams, and all of them have been at Yankee Stadium.

The other two were perfect games — Don Larsen did it against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1956 World Series (news - web sites) and by David Cone (news) against Montreal on July 18, 1999.

Oswalt strained his right groin and left in the second inning. He looked toward catcher Brad Ausmus (news) after his second pitch of the inning, his 23rd of the game, and immediately was replaced.

Oswalt originally hurt his groin May 15 while running the bases against Pittsburgh and was on the disabled list until May 31. Houston said he was day-to-day.

Munro pitched 2 2-3 innings, Saarloos 1 1-3 innings and Lidge (4-0) went two innings. Dotel threw the eighth and became the 44th pitcher in major league history to strike out four in an inning.

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damn houston rocks!

06-11-2003, 06:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
The_Dude The GrandDaddy of them all! Location: Austin, TX	Astros pitch a no hitter against the Yanks NEW YORK - Forced to scramble after starter Roy Oswalt was injured, a record six Houston pitchers combined on the first no-hitter against the New York Yankees (news) in 45 years. AP Photo Relievers Pete Munro, Kirk Saarloos, Brad Lidge, Octavio Dotel and Billy Wagner (news) finished to lead the Astros over the Yankees 8-0 Wednesday night. 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 against Saarloos, when Alfonso Soriano sent a fly ball into short left field. Lance Berkman, who hit a two-run run homer in the third inning, 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. Wagner struck out Jorge Posada (news) and pinch-hitter Bubba Trammell (news) to start the ninth. He then got Hideki Matsui to ground to first base with one pitch to complete the Astros' 10th no-hitter, the first since Darryl Kile (news) against the New York Mets (news) on Sept. 8, 1993. With Yankees' fans standing and applauding, Wagner pumped his fist as he stepped on first base to end it. Many the Astros came out of the dugout and onto the field to give high-fives. This was the second no-hitter in the majors this season. Kevin Millwood (news) pitched one for Philadelphia on April 27 against San Francisco. Overall, it was the third no-hitter in a game between AL and NL teams, and all of them have been at Yankee Stadium. The other two were perfect games — Don Larsen did it against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1956 World Series (news - web sites) and by David Cone (news) against Montreal on July 18, 1999. Oswalt strained his right groin and left in the second inning. He looked toward catcher Brad Ausmus (news) after his second pitch of the inning, his 23rd of the game, and immediately was replaced. Oswalt originally hurt his groin May 15 while running the bases against Pittsburgh and was on the disabled list until May 31. Houston said he was day-to-day. Munro pitched 2 2-3 innings, Saarloos 1 1-3 innings and Lidge (4-0) went two innings. Dotel threw the eighth and became the 44th pitcher in major league history to strike out four in an inning. ---------- damn houston rocks! __________________ "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Darrel K Royal