Heston brings confidence to no-hit encore
Giants starter plans to carry same mindset into start against D-backs
SAN FRANCISCO -- Due entirely to a random shuffling, Chris Heston has traded places in the Giants' clubhouse, switching to a dressing stall that brought him closer to the club's established starting pitchers.
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"I moved up in the real estate," he said.
Complete coverage: Chris Heston no-hitter
Not much else has been different since Heston threw his no-hitter Tuesday at New York. He insisted that success hasn't altered his approach, which he'll have the opportunity to prove as he faces the Arizona Diamondbacks at AT&T Park in Sunday's series finale.
"You know there's going to be more confidence," Heston said. "But the mindset never changes."
At the forefront of Heston's mindset is the imperative to keep his sinker sinking and continue tickling the strike zone's lower regions. According to Pitch-f/x, Heston threw 64 sinkers and 30 curveballs among the 110 pitches he needed to subdue the Mets.
Heston's combination helped him strike out a career-high 11, including the final three batters. He became the first no-hit author to finish in that fashion since Sandy Koufax of the Dodgers struck out the last six Cubs in his perfect game on Sept. 9, 1965.
"Any time your name's getting mentioned in the same paragraph as Sandy Koufax's, it's pretty special," Heston said.