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Good morning afternoon, Athletics Nation!
While the Oakland A’s were celebrating their first series win of the 2021 season this weekend, getting back at the division rival Houston Astros who swept them to open the year, the rest of MLB was focused on an even more historic achievement.
The San Diego Padres joined the major leagues in 1969, and now entering their 53rd season they’d never thrown a no-hitter. Finally, in the 8,206th game in franchise history, they got one.
Padres starter Joe Musgrove pitched a no-hitter Friday against the Texas Rangers. He struck out 10 batters and didn’t issue any walks, with the only baserunner coming when he pegged Joey Gallo with a pitch in the 4th inning. The final pitch count was 112. Click here for the box score.
Start your day with all 27 outs of Joe Musgrove's no-hitter. pic.twitter.com/iIUx4c5QOL
— MLB (@MLB) April 10, 2021
Making the moment even more special was that Musgrove was born and raised in San Diego. The right-hander was acquired over the offseason in a trade from the Pirates, and this was only his second start in a Padres uniform.
Joe Musgrove was born and raised in San Diego County (El Cajon). Grew up a Padres fan. Committed to SDSU before being drafted.
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) April 10, 2021
10 years later, he gets a chance to pitch for his hometown team.
And in just his 2nd start, he throws the first no-hitter in franchise history. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/A0GruxG20F
But wait! There’s yet another amazing detail to this story. Catcher Victor Caratini was also behind the plate for the majors’ last no-no, by Alec Mills of the Cubs in September 2020, meaning he’s received the last two no-hitters thrown in the majors. Caratini is the 11th backstop to do this, but the first ever to do so in two different uniforms, as all the others were still on the same team (and some even working with the same pitcher) for their repeats.
Musgrove’s response to the whole episode:
Joe Musgrove posted a message about chasing your dreams after his no-hitter pic.twitter.com/hIf5Kb0sGX
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 10, 2021
Former A’s prospect Jorge Mateo celebrating with his teammates!
Absolute SCENES from Joe Musgrove’s no-hitter. ❤️
— theScore (@theScore) April 10, 2021
( : @MLB) pic.twitter.com/2IYdo3L0w4
C’mon Chandler, don’t ruin it.
Already a World Series champion with the 2017 Astros, Joe Musgrove can now add no-hitter to his resume.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 10, 2021
SB Nation programming notes
Two quick programming notes.
First, we’re trying out something new for our Game Thread on Monday against the D’Backs. It’s a Live Chat feature, and we’re just testing it out for this one game and then going back to normal on Tuesday. Click here for more details.
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A’s Coverage
- The 2001 A’s started 2-10 and finished with 102 wins
- A’s injuries: Moreland hamstring, Puk and Pinder updates
- A’s place A.J. Puk on injured list, call up Deolis Guerra
- A’s don’t have an expensive new closer after all
- Nico: A’s Finding It Hard To Win With Half The Plate
- Coffey: A’s could lose Trevor Rosenthal for months, Matt Olson is day to day and John Fisher’s team is unprepared ($$$)
- Kawahara: A’s Lou Trivino works toward closer consideration ($)
A's taxi squad for their first road trip: RHP James Kaprielian, C Austin Allen, INFs Pete Kozma and Vimael Machin
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) April 8, 2021
A’s Game Highlights
- Game #5: A’s lose again, but A.J. Puk has good debut
- Game #6: A’s lose again, but by less this time
- Game #7: A’s win! Moreland walk-off avoids worst start in franchise history
- Game #8: A’s still can’t figure out Astros
- Game #9: A’s lineup finally breaks out in win over Astros
- Game #10: A’s get back on track with first series win
- Ramon Laureano illustrates value of an extra 90 feet in A’s first win of 2021
- Seth Brown delivers in 2021 season debut
- Ka’ai Tom notches first career MLB hit and RBI
Walk-off!
. . #RiseAndGrind pic.twitter.com/8Rc7HtCjgO
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) April 7, 2021
April shower
Gatorade showers after a win >>>
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) April 7, 2021
A's Postgame Live is airing right now on NBC Sports California and streaming here: https://t.co/La89q5hJ2p pic.twitter.com/5ERFGuU0jQ
On the team’s first win after six straight losses
Jesús Luzardo: "We all just got tired of getting our ass kicked, to be honest with you."
— Ben Ross (@BenRossTweets) April 7, 2021
Laser!
Our human highlight reel does it yet again pic.twitter.com/2yZCJc0Ew1
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) April 9, 2021
This is what a sigh of relief looks like
OLY pic.twitter.com/RdX0JoWIOg
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) April 10, 2021
Victory!
Pictured: Elvis Andrus finally getting a hit after being robbed a couple times earlier in the game
— Alex Hall (@AlexHallAN) April 10, 2021
Also pictured: Every A's fan after finally beating the Astros in their sixth try this year pic.twitter.com/HzKVBHOTp9
Smell ya later Houston
Can't think of a better parting gift for Houston than dropping a big ol' Brownie in their upper deck.
— Alex Hall (@AlexHallAN) April 10, 2021
LOL Mets
Jed Lowrie's first home run since Sept. 29, 2018...also for the A's pic.twitter.com/UsSsRtq13o
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 10, 2021
Zombie Lowrie update
Just a day off today for Jed Lowrie. Bob Melvin said he could play two days in a row and get the third day off for a while going forward. Also could DH some games.
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) April 8, 2021
Also add Chad Pinder (knee) on the position player side, and update Rosenthal to surgery and the 60-day IL
A's now have five pitchers on IL: Rosenthal (shoulder inflammation), Puk (biceps strain), Smith (groin strain), Fiers (lumbar strain) and Guduan (sprained thumb sustained covering first base).
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) April 8, 2021
And a prospect update, before the minors even begin!
A's catcher Tyler Soderstrom enters the Top 100 Prospects list following the graduation of Rays' Randy Arozarena: https://t.co/er12PfqzTS pic.twitter.com/TMARjUp2QL
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 9, 2021
Best of MLB Twitter
One of the worst calls in history, to drive in the ultimate winning run
the worst part is Kulpa starting to ring him up, acknowledging it's a strike, and then calling the HBP as if the fact that the ball was in the strike zone wouldn't perhaps be a hint that Conforto wouldn't be getting hit without leaning into it???pic.twitter.com/Tm3waCXfSk
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) April 8, 2021
“The Marlins losing that game in that way is a complete joke.” — Buster Olney
If it’s a strike = no HBP. Unbelievable this ump is employed pic.twitter.com/rusxEv09gP
— Nick Lee (@NickLee51) April 8, 2021
... But for what it’s worth
Mea Kulpa: home plate umpire Ron Kulpa admits he erred in awarding Conforto first base and not calling him out. Good job with accountability. Still, would have been better to reverse himself while still on field, but that’s harder.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 8, 2021
Fernando Tatis Jr suffers shoulder injury after making a swing, sending him to the injured list just a week into his new $340 million contract extension (they also discuss Oakland’s Trevor Rosenthal in this video)
When will we see Fernando Tatís Jr. back in the lineup, and will this injury impact him long term? @Ken_Rosenthal has the latest on that and more: pic.twitter.com/yeT4QVRgbQ
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 10, 2021
The A’s aren’t the only AL West team to already lose one of their new offseason additions
Angels say Dexter Fowler has a torn ACL.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) April 11, 2021
... And another, as Paxton was looking for a comeback with his old club
Tommy John surgery has been recommended for James Paxton. Would miss the year snd be back in 2022.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 8, 2021
Renato steps in to replace his legendary fellow Venezuelan slugger, and the A’s will play against their former prospect on Thursday
NEWS: Miguel Cabrera placed on 10-day injured list with left biceps strain. Renato Núñez takes his place on the active roster. Cabrera, 37, is batting .125 this season. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) April 11, 2021
Sanchez is making a comeback, though briefly sidelined by a minor injury
Some better players still unsigned: Yoenis Cespedes, Edwin Encarnacion, David Robertson, Yasiel Puig, Shane Greene, Jeff Samardzija, Mike Leake, Addison Russell, Anibal Sanchez, Jeremy Jeffress, Felix Hernandez, Josh Reddick, Jedd Gyorko, Brad Peacock, Scooter Gennett, Matt Kemp.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 9, 2021
The most Mets stat ever
Most #Mets hits in Jacob deGrom starts this year:
— Jeremy Frank (@MLBRandomStats) April 10, 2021
3 Jacob deGrom
2 Michael Conforto
2 Brandon Nimmo
Mike Red Snapper
The #Reds have scored more runs thru 6 games (57) than any NL team since the 1962 Cardinals.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) April 8, 2021
This might have something to do with it.
Reds' team slash line: .316/.400/.602/1.002
Mike Trout's career slash: .304/.418/.583/1.001
Mancini returns from colon cancer
Standing O for Trey! Great work Birdland. pic.twitter.com/XSrjvWzLOf
— Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) April 8, 2021
WonderwhatIjustwatched
Bronson Arroyo's love letter/rock tribute for Walker Buehler. pic.twitter.com/Zm53qyuvl0
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) April 9, 2021
A Hall of Fame message from Yount
Robin Yount has an important message to other ball players. Powerful and motivational pic.twitter.com/7CbcZUgz0T
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) April 8, 2021
... And despite his declining stats in recent years, here’s one example of a legend giving it everything he’s got every day, even when his team is terrible
The bounce in their step & the smiles on their faces as they run away say it all. Like 2 little boys who just got their first autograph. I truly hope the younger generations will appreciate what Pujols has meant to our game & what he’s accomplished. #HOFer pic.twitter.com/Zulm6Sjvkn
— Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) April 11, 2021