(670 The Score) White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon was reminded Wednesday why he loves baseball so much.
After years of overcoming adversity and injury in his MLB career, Rodon fired his first no-hitter and the 20th in franchise history, shutting down the Indians in his team’s 8-0 win at Guaranteed Rate Field. That he came a few inches from throwing a perfect game – the only baserunner he allowed was on a hit batsman with one out in the ninth inning – didn’t dampen his appreciation regarding a night to cherish forever.
"This is a pretty special moment,” Rodon said. “Not many people can say they have thrown a no-hitter. We had talked a lot with you guys over the years about adversity. It just feels great to tell you how I dominated today. I had never really dominated like that at this level.
"Baseball will give you 24 hours and then someone else will throw a great game. Baseball is that humbling because it will eat you up and spit you out. Sometimes it will reward you.”
Rodon struck out seven without issuing a walk in what also represented his first MLB shutout. He threw 114 pitches and only regretted one of them – a slider to Indians catcher Roberto Perez in a two-strike count with one out in the ninth. It got away from Rodon and clipped Perez in the foot.
“I got to that 1-2 count and the whole game I had been throwing sliders to him," Rodon said. "I knew that 1-2 count I wanted to throw that same slider I had been using all night. I said to myself start it at his right knee or shoulder. I threw it and it took off. I said, ‘Here goes the toe ball.’”
Prior to that, Rodon’s perfect game and eventual no-hitter was preserved by a fantastic play by first baseman Jose Abreu. Otherwise, the 28-year-old Rodon was the star of the show. His date with history came two nights after he was scratched from his scheduled start due to sickness.
Rodon seemed to get stronger as the game went, hitting 98 miles per hour in the ninth inning.
“You always must leave a little bit in the tank,” Rodon said. “The reason I had it late is I didn't get into any trouble all night. Today without having a pitch situation, I could go out there and get it.
"After the third time through the top of the order and facing (star Jose Ramirez), once I got him out there, I said to myself, ‘This is getting real.’”
Rodon suffered a spate of arm and shoulder injuries in the ensuing seasons after the White Sox selected him No. 3 overall in the 2014 amateur draft. He also underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2019. The White Sox non-tendered Rodon last fall, then brought him back on a one-year deal and gave him the chance to earn a rotation spot in spring training. He did just that.
"I just went out there and did it for the boys tonight,” Rodon said. “After these two days, it was a stomach bug that just went away. I felt really good today.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram