…on making a fine, browsing choice.
One of the things I’ve loved most about David Pinto’s Baseball Musings is the author’s habit of offerering congratulations to persons or organizations who are highly unlikely to see his well-wishes. And with that sort of goodwill in mind, CSTB sends Official Congratulations in the direction of the following :
…University of Texas SP Adrian Alaniz (getting hugs, above), who threw the 19th no-hitter in Longhorns history this evening with his 91 pitch performance against Oklahoma. Texas’ 4-0 win and Alaniz’ no-no came one night after an astonishing pitching duel between the Sooners’ Daniel McCutchen and Texas’ Kyle McCulloch finally ended in the 10th inning on Drew Stubbs’ walk-off 2-run HR.
Alaniz is the first Texas freshman to earn a no-hitter since Greg Swindell did it 21 years ago against Texas Wesleyan.. (Swindell, a former AL All-Star who won 18 games for Cleveland in ’88, is currently a volunteer assistant coach at Texas.)
…Minnesota’s Dave Gassner, who became joined Eric Milton and Scott Erickson as the only Twins to win in their major league debuts, beating Cleveland 6-4. Reliever Terry Mullholland collected the save, his first in about 500 years.
…Chicago’s Ryan Dempster winning his first game of 2005, but more impressively, Glendon Rusch, Chad Fox and Latroy Hawkins holding onto a lead for once.
…the Colorado Rockies, for ending an 8-game losing streak and collecting just their second victory of 2005.
…Los Angeles’ JD Drew on finally collecting an RBI in the season’s 10th game. And Scott Erickson, for having a quality start for the first time in 501 years.
…Chicago’s Mark Buehrle, who held the Mariners to three hits (all of ’em by Ichiro Suzuki) en route to a 2-0 shutout that took just 99 minutes to complete.
…Boston’s Manny Ramirez(above), whose grand slam + 2 run HR equalled 6 RBI off the Florida State League’s Tampa Devil Rays.
…Smoothie King, who should experience improved fortunes now that a Federal judge has overturned the FDA’s ban on Ephedra.