As the fourth inning turned into the fifth inning and then the sixth and finally the seventh, the excitement built. But there was a catch. That stupid pitch count and, of course, the score.
When Nick Pivetta reached the seventh frame against the Rays he hadn't given up a single hit, but the Red Sox also hadn't managed a single run.
Then, three batters later, Alex Cora was forced with a decision. His choice? Prioritize the game over potential history. He was pulling Pivetta after pitching 6 2/3 innings of no-hit baseball.
"It wasn't tough," Cora said after what ultimately ended in a 1-0 Red Sox loss at Tropicana Field Thursday night. "It's a 0-0 game, we have one of the best lefties in the game, probably the best lefty throwing the ball in the game. It was a no-brainer."
Cora's strategy of pulling Pivetta -- who exited at 100 pitches, having struck out eight and walked two -- paid short-term dividends. Reliever Josh Taylor stranded Austin Meadows (who had reached on a Michael Chavis error) and Manuel Margot (who was intentionally walked by Taylor), keeping the team no-hitter intact.
"I could throw all day if I really needed to," Pivetta noted. "In a certain situation, what’s more important is winning baseball games and using matchups. It probably would’ve taken me 140, 150, 160 pitches. Can’t predict the future, can’t say what would’ve happened. It was the right call on AC’s part. It made the most sense. We’re all about winning the series. It didn’t happen today but it was the right call."
It wasn't until one out in the eighth inning that the no-no was broken up, with Kevin Kiermaier notching a double off Darwinzon Hernandez.
The Red Sox last combined no-hitter came June 23, 1917 when Babe Ruth was replaced by Ernie Shore after walking the first batter of the game and proceeding to punch the umpire.
"I did not want to come out but it’s not about me, it’s about the game," Pivetta said. "It’s about winning baseball games. That’s what’s most important. The matchups worked out really well with J.T. He’s been doing really well against lefties and that’s really important. It was a tie ballgame at the time. I was at 100 pitches. Right now it’s just about winning baseball games and that’s the most important."
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