Reuss relives near-perfect no-hitter post-Kershaw
Former Dodgers left-hander also had perfection thwarted by throwing error
LOS ANGELES -- Clayton Kershaw isn't the only tall left-handed Dodgers pitcher to lose a perfect game on a shortstop's throwing error.
Almost perfect
| Date | Pitcher | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| 7/10/09 | Jonathan Sanchez | For Giants vs. Padres |
| 8/15/90 | Terry Mulholland | For Phillies vs. Giants* |
| 6/27/80 | Jerry Reuss | For Dodgers vs. Giants |
| 7/19/74 | Dick Bosman | For Indians vs. A's |
| 9/3/47 | Bill McCahan | For A's vs. Senators |
| 7/1/20 | Walter Johnson | For Senators vs. Red Sox |
| 6/13/05 | Christy Mathewson | For Giants vs. Cubs** |
It also happened to Jerry Reuss on June 27, 1980, against the Giants at Candlestick Park. It also was a shortstop's bad throw after fielding a grounder (Hanley Ramirez for Kershaw, Bill Russell for Reuss) that stood as the lone blemish, with neither pitcher issuing a walk.
"I just threw it away, it's as simple as that," Russell said later of his toss into the dirt. "Later I thought, 'There's nothing I can do about it now. He can't get a perfect game, so let's go after the no-hitter."'
For Kershaw, Ramirez's error Wednesday night was committed with no outs in the top of the seventh inning trying to throw out Colorado's Corey Dickerson at first base.
The drama for Reuss ended sooner, as Russell's error was charged in the bottom of the first inning after fielding a grounder by Jack Clark. Reuss then retired the last 25 batters.
"Errors happen," said Reuss, who just authored "Bring in the Right-hander!: My 22 years in the Major Leagues."
"It was the same Russell who made an excellent play later in the game to keep the no-hitter alive. He fielded nine grounders and went three for five with an RBI in the game. Actually, the error may have helped preserve the no-hitter because Clark, who hit well against me, strained his knee running the bases that inning and he left the game in the sixth inning."