Sabathia's bid was close call
Pirates get only one hit, on misplayed grounder
To the Milwaukee Brewers, CC Sabathia pitched the no-hitter that wasn't. Even if Sabathia may have been the only player in their clubhouse who wasn't upset that what may be the best-pitched game of his career will go down as a one-hitter.
Sabathia limited the Pirates to Andy LaRoche's infield single leading off the fifth inning, on a play Milwaukee manager Ned Yost argued was an error on Sabathia, and the Brewers beat host Pittsburgh, 7-0, yesterday for their eighth win in nine games.
Sabathia (9-0), who struck out 11, pitched the majors' fourth one-hitter this season and couldn't have come much closer to a no-hitter, with no Pirates batter except LaRoche threatening to get a hit during the team's 10th consecutive loss.
"He accomplished a no-hitter and wasn't given what he deserved. That should have been a no-hitter," Yost said. "That's a stinking no-hitter we all got cheated from. I feel horrible for CC."
LaRoche hit a roller in front of the mound before Sabathia picked it up barehanded, only to drop it. The ball may have been hit too softly to get LaRoche at first, even if Sabathia had made the play cleanly.
Bob Webb, an official scorer for 20 seasons, immediately ruled a hit, explaining LaRoche was two-thirds of the way down the line before Sabathia picked the ball up.
Sabathia accepted the scoring call calmly, blaming himself for LaRoche getting on.
"The ball was still rolling and I probably should have picked it up with my glove. We probably wouldn't be having this conversation," Sabathia said.
Sabathia's 9-0 record since being dealt by Cleveland to Milwaukee July 7 matches Doyle
Dodgers 8, Diamondbacks 1 - Andre Ethier and Casey Blake hit first-inning homers, and Los Angeles roughed up Brandon Webb and host Arizona, climbing within 2 1/2 games of their NL West rivals.
Derek Lowe (11-11) tossed six shutout innings for the Dodgers. Webb (19-6) lasted only 3 1/3 innings and failed to become the first to win 20 games this season.
Twins 12, Athletics 4 - Justin Morneau homered and drove in four runs, Scott Baker won for the second time since the All-Star break, and Minnesota beat host Oakland to earn a split of the four-game series.
Mets 6, Marlins 2 - Five relievers combined to pitch three shutout innings in relief of Pedro Martínez to help New York hold off Florida, preserving the Mets' one-game lead in the NL East.
Phillies 5, Cubs 3 - Jayson Werth hit another home run - his third in two games - and Jamie Moyer improved to 12-7, leading visiting Philadelphia past Chicago to salvage a split of the four-game series.
Rays 10, Orioles 4 - James Shields allowed one run over seven innings and Jason Bartlett hit his first homer in over a year to help Tampa Bay complete a three-game sweep of visiting Baltimore.
Blue Jays 6, Yankees 2 - Roy Halladay (17-9) beat New York for the fourth straight time this season, and Scott Rolen homered to lead visiting Toronto.
Padres 2, Rockies 1 - Trevor Hoffman blew the save after Jake Peavy struck out 13 over eight scoreless innings but Luis Rodriguez singled home the winning run in the ninth to lift host San Diego over Colorado.
Astros 3, Cardinals 0 - Ty Wigginton hit his 12th home run of August and four pitchers combined to shut out visiting St. Louis, giving Houston a sweep of the three-game series and its fifth straight win.
Nationals 8, Braves 4 - Aaron Boone failed to lay down a sacrifice, then slammed a three-run, eighth-inning homer to lift host Washington to its season-high sixth straight win.
Rangers 4, Angels 3 - Josh Hamilton and Marlon Byrd homered and visiting Texas avoided a sweep in the four-game series.
Mariners 6, Indians 4 - Adrian Beltre homered twice and visiting Seattle completed a three-game sweep of Cleveland.
Tigers 4, Royals 2 - Miguel Cabrera homered and drove in all four runs in host Detroit's win over Kansas City.
Reds 9, Giants 3 - Joey Votto went 4 for 4 with four RBIs, Bronson Arroyo went seven innings for his third straight win, and Cincinnati completed its first three-game sweep of the Giants at home in 14 years. 