When told of Brewers farmhand Manny Parra tossing a perfect game tonight against Round Rock, Bob Uecker was heard to utter, “that’s pretty good at any level…even the sandlot.” And while I’ll characterize guys with big league resumes like Humberto Quintero and Jason Lane as a notch above the sandlot, there’s no doubt in my mind that Parra-is-for-real. He struck out 11 Express hitters in Nashville’s 3-0 win and was nothing short of overpowering without breaking much of a sweat. An opposite field line drive to the warning track by Lane in the 7th was the hardest hit ball the hosts managed all evening.
As my family, friends, work colleagues and estranged spouse can well attest, I’ve attended many ballgames in my time. Never before have I witnessed a no-no or a perfect game in person, and while I don’t spend much time rooting for the Brewers’ organization, I feel fortunate to have been on hand for Parra’s gem.
The 3 or 4 thousand fans who stuck around for the duration at the Dell Diamond were openly rooting for the 6′ 3″ lefty from the 7th inning on, even when Nashville were only up by a run. I’ve never heard so loud an ovation at the end of an Express loss, except for perhaps the occasion when they were giving away leftover fried dough.
For Round Rock, it can only get worse. The Express will send Chan Ho Park to the hill tomorrow night.
Mets prospect Phillip Humber limited the Memphis Redbirds to a mere three hits during New Orleans’ 4-1 win Monday night. Memphis starter, Toma Ohka, just signed by the Cardinals, allowed 3 earned runs and 8 hits over 8 innings, including a solo HR to Andy Tracy. I’m not sure which is more incredible, that Sandy Alomar Jr. might be wearing a Mets uniform very shortly (ie. whenever Captain Red Ass serves his two game suspension) or that he’s currently hitting .325 in the PCL.