Jonathan Sanchez of the San Francisco Giants threw the first no-hitter of the season, blanking the San Diego Padres in an 8-0 Giants win. Sanchez was demoted to the bullpen earlier this season and was only pitching because he was taking the spot of Randy Johnson, who was put on the disabled list earlier this week. Sanchez almost had the perfect game. That was messed up in the eighth inning by an error from Juan Uribe. In the ninth inning, Aaron Rowand made a jumping catch at the center field wall to rob Edgar Gonzalez of a hit. Sanchez didn't walk any batters and struck out 11 batters.
This is very impressive for Sanchez and for the pitching staff of the Giants. The Giants have two outstanding pitchers in Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. Randy Johnson, who is a likely Hall of Famer once he retires, has also been serviceable in their rotation. If Sanchez can pitch close to what he did tonight against the Padres, the Giants will be a legitimate team in the National League and will have a huge shot at winning the NL wild card.
They are far from winning the National League West division, which the Los Angeles Dodgers have controlled all year. That doesn't mean the Giants can't contend in the postseason if they make it as a wild card team. The Dodgers last year swept the Chicago Cubs, who had the best record in the National League. Baseball is unpredictable, and anything can happen. The Giants, just as much as any other team, can be a legit World Series team if they keep up this outstanding starting pitching.
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