Lucas Giolito exited Tuesday’s start against the Yankees with six innings of one-hit ball, a familiar occurrence in modern baseball, especially when a starter is at 100 pitches, which is right were Giolito was when he was taken out of the game.
Still, it sets Sal off every time a pitcher leaves a start with a no-hitter or perfect game intact, especially when the starter comes out with no resistance, like Giolito seemed to on Tuesday.
“A guy was pitching a no-hitter, at Yankee Stadium, and came out of the game without any issue,” Sal said. “It compromises the competitiveness in the sport, and without competitiveness and competition in sport, we have nothing.
“Lucas Giolito should be ashamed of himself. If I am throwing a no-hitter anywhere, you would have to kill me to get me off the mound. Physically come out there, rip me off the mound, and fight me to the death to get me off the mound if I am throwing a no-hitter, especially at Yankee Stadium.”
It is the reality of modern Major League Baseball, as pitcher health is paramount, and deeper bullpens make managers more willing to take the ball from their starters earlier in games. But doing that with no hits on the board is something Sal will never be on board with.
“This guy Lucas Giolito pitched his entire life,” Sal said. You’re telling me it wouldn’t mean the world to him to pitch a no-hitter at Yankee Stadium, against the New York Yankees!
“He was at 100 pitches, just for the record. I understand it’s a lot. But let him try to finish it, or Lucas Giolito, force your way to try and finish it.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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