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The New York Mets scattered nine hits but couldn’t score a single run as the team dropped its fourth straight in a 4-0 loss to the Houston Astros.
Starter Oliver Perez pitched well early (a second-inning homer by Ty Wigginton aside), but he got into trouble in the fourth by yielding four consecutive hits – three of them doubles – for three runs.
Perez lost his no-hitter in the first inning when leadoff hitter Kaz Matsui singled to right center. It was the 30th time this season that a Mets starter has given up a leadoff hit, and the 908th time in the team’s 46 1/2-season history. (See our No-hitters killed by first at bat page for more details.)
With John Maine placed on the retroactive disabled list to make room for another reliever, Eddie Kunz was called up from AA Binghamton and did his job in one inning of relief. Maine will likely miss just one start, and the move was made mostly to avoid placing Billy Wagner on the DL, as he’s dealing with stiffness in his left forearm. That’s troubling as despite last night’s blown save, we all know what happens when the Mets can’t call on Wagner to finish. (See Heilman, Aaron … Sanchez, Duaner)
Wonder how many times the same hitter has broken up the no-no in all games of a series? This weekend, it was Matsui, Matsui, and Matsui. Now I’m kinda sick we actually gave up on the guy.
You rock. Every game I go to I watch for the No-no. EVERY game I go to I make the mental note when it is broken up and every time I pass up tickets I wonder if that will be the night it happens.
My closest encounters were Jon Matlack’s one hitter where the only hit was a homer by opposing pticher Mike Curtis and Rick Reed’s 7+ no-hit innings (I forget if it was a erfcet game otr not at that point).
I will be there celebrating with you when the fateful day arrives. Who knows…maybe tomorrow!!!