Dodgers Lose After Yanking Stripling Who Had No-Hitter Going
Ross Stripling made his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night against the San Francisco Giants. During the eighth inning, Stripling was pulled by Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts with a no-hitter intact.
When taken out, Stripling had pitched 7 1/3 innings and 100 pitches. At the time, Los Angeles was leading the game 2-0. However, the Giants rallied to win 3-2 in ten innings on a home room by Brandon Crawford.
Roberts explained that he pulled Stripling to protect his health over the long-term as two years ago the pitcher had undergone Tommy John surgery.
Stripling supported his manager’s decision by saying the choice was correct. The pitcher said he tired late in the game and had walked a batter or two late over his final two innings.
Roberts was ejected from the game shortly after pulling Stripling so the two had time to talk while the game was being completed. Stripling said he told Roberts at that time he agreed with his decision to take him out.
Stripling had never pitched higher than Double-A and missed the entire 2014 season due to his surgery. No pitcher since Bumpus Jones during 1892 has thrown a no-hitter in a big league debut.
Stripling was yanked for Chris Hatcher who was greeted quickly with a two-run home run that tied the score. Stripling said he felt bad for Hatcher.
Moments after the home run by Trevor Brown to tie the game, Roberts was ejected after a confrontation between Jeff Kellogg the plate umpire and Hatcher following a close pitch.
The only two hits on the night for the Giants were Brown’s tying home run and Crawford’s winning home run in the 10th.
Last season Stripling was 3-6 with an ERA of 3.66 for the Tulsa Double-A affiliate of the Dodgers. He also pitched a no-hitter in 2012 for Texas A&M against rivals San Diego State.
Saturday’s matchup should feature even more great pitching as two of the league’s top hurlers will be on the mound.
Madison Bumgarner will start for San Francisco while Clayton Kershaw will be on the mound for the Dodgers.
Bumgarner called Kershaw the league’s best pitcher but jokingly said his looks were bad.
