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The San Diego Padres did not waste much time in the 2022 MLB season to pull off something bold — and unprecedented. According to Stats by STATS, the Padres have just become the first team ever in the modern era of the majors to twice pull a starter in the game despite that pitcher tossing a no-hitter on fewer than triple-digit pitch count.
The Padres have removed their starter from the game after he pitched 6.0+ no-hit innings on fewer than 100 pitches in both games this year. No other team in the modern era has done that twice over an entire season.
On Opening Day, the Padres took the ball from starter Yu Darvish after the vet tossed six-innings of no-hit ball, issuing four free passes with three strikeouts on 92 pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks on the road. The Padres' bullpen would waste a 2-0 lead after that, with Robert Suarez allowing three earned runs in the ninth inning and Craig Stammen surrendering another earned run also in the same frame, resulting in a 4-2 loss for San Diego.
The following night, the Padres sent Sean Manaea to the mound for his debut in San Diego threads, and this time, the team got the job done at the plate and on the mound for a 3-0 victory. Just like Darvish, Manaea went long with a no-hit bid but was removed from the mound by manager Bob Melvin after seven innings, during which the 30-year-0ld pitcher gave up just a walk while fanning seven Diamondhitters in just 88 pitches.
Melvin was obviously thrilled with the performance of Manaea, whose debut did not go to waste with San Diego's bullpen finally doing its job right this time around.
Via ESPN:
“I've seen him have some good games,” Melvin said. “This ranks right up there with them.” Said Manaea: “Everything was working.”
The Padres will next send Joe Musgrove to the mound for the third leg of the series against Arizona this Saturday night.
