San Diego Padres’ Blake Snell Dominates with No-Hitter Bid, Replaced in Eighth Inning
San Diego Padres left-hander Blake Snell showcased his pitching prowess, taking a no-hitter through seven innings against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night. However, he was replaced in the eighth inning by reliever Robert Suarez in a move that surprised some fans.
Snell, who currently leads the big leagues in ERA and is vying for his second Cy Young Award, delivered an impressive performance. He threw 62 of his 104 pitches for strikes, striking out 10 batters and issuing four walks. With this, he now holds the major league-leading total of 96 strikeouts for the season. It’s worth noting that Snell’s highest pitched count this season is 113, while his career-high stands at 122.
Looking to complete eight innings for the first time in his major league career, Snell fell just short as San Diego manager Bob Melvin made the call to bring in a fresh arm. The decision drew some boos from the crowd as Suarez took over in what was still a scoreless game.
Snell’s stellar performance was supported by excellent defensive plays from center fielder Trent Grisham and right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. In the sixth inning, both players made impressive running catches to keep the no-hitter hopes alive, with Grisham making another remarkable grab in the seventh.
Currently boasting a record of 14 wins and 9 losses, along with an outstanding 2.33 ERA in 32 starts this season, Snell’s brilliance on the mound has solidified his position as a Cy Young contender. Previously, he secured the coveted award in 2018 while playing for the Tampa Bay Rays before being traded to the San Diego Padres ahead of the 2021 season.
It’s worth mentioning that the Padres already celebrated a no-hitter earlier this year when Joe Musgrove achieved the feat on April 9, 2021, in just his second start for his hometown team.
With Snell’s dominant performance, it’s evident that the Padres possess an exceptional pitching rotation capable of delivering remarkable achievements. As the season progresses, the team and fans alike eagerly anticipate witnessing more extraordinary moments on the field.
