Almost 3 weeks ago, San Francisco Giants' left handed pitcher Jonathan Sanchez threw the best game of his life, and surely his most memorable one. Before making Baseball history, Jonathan Sanchez was just another regular big league pitcher. After a 2 hour and 22 minute game against division rival San Diego, Sanchez threw the first No Hitter at AT&T park and became the first Giant to do so since John "The Count" Montefusco, back in 1976. The south paw also became the first Giant to reach the feat at home since Ed Halick did it in 1975.
Sanchez who was the subject of trade rumors, was demoted to the bullpen after four straight agonizing starts and wasn't even scheduled to pitch, until learning days before that Giant veteran Randy Johnson would be sidelined after pulling a muscle in his shoulder while swinging a bat. After hearing about the news, Sanchez told his father in Puerto Rico to make the trip to San Francisco to watch him pitch a game that would make or break his spot in the rotation. Little did he know, what his son was about to achieve. Jonathan completed the no hitter without giving up any walks and would have had a pefect game if it weren't for a defensive switch that was later made moving Juan Uribe from second to third base in the 7th inning. Uribe later fumbled a hard hit ball in the 8th inning, to commit an error and end Sanchez' bid for a perfect game. However the no hitter was still in tact, and was later saved as Aaron Rowand made a leaping grab in the 9th inning to rob a hit and possible home-run. To add to the no-no, Sanchez added a career high 11 strikeout's.
Sanchez who pitched in substitution for the injured Randy Johnson, was the first left hander to throw a no hitter since Johnson threw one himself back in 2004 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Coincidence?
Sanchez giving his father a hug inside the dugout
Giants mascot Lou Seal congratulating Sanchez
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