Elephant Rumblings: John Means throws no-hitter for Orioles
MLB news roundup
Good morning afternoon, Athletics Nation!
Twice in the last two weeks, the Oakland A’s were beaten by Baltimore Orioles starter John Means, and both times the lefty dominated. Turns out that’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Means threw a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday, the first individual no-no by an Orioles pitcher since Jim Palmer in 1969. Baltimore did have a combined no-hitter since then, in 1991 against the A’s, which was also the last time Oakland was on the wrong side of one. The Orioles’ drought of individual no-nos was the longest in the majors.
This is already the third of fourth no-hitter in the majors this year, depending who you ask. Joe Musgrove (Padres) and Carlos Rodon (White Sox) each tossed one, and Madison Bumgarner (D’Backs) went the distance in a seven-inning doubleheader game but it doesn’t officially count under the current record-keeping rules. The Padres had the longest drought until Musgrove’s, and now the Pirates lead at 45 years.
What’s more, Means nearly threw a perfect game. His only baserunner came in the 3rd inning when catcher Pedro Severino dropped a third strike, allowing the batter to reach on a strikeout. The runner, Sam Haggerty, was quickly thrown out stealing, so Means faced the minimum 27 batters.
Since the dropped third strike doesn’t technically count as an error, Means is the first pitcher ever to throw a no-hitter with no walks, HBPs, or errors, but not have it be a perfect game.
Enjoy all 113 pitches and 27 outs from John Means' no-hitter: pic.twitter.com/5Ty8z7mi8C
— MEANScenter (@BMOREcenter) May 6, 2021
The final box score for Means featured 12 strikeouts, and 113 pitches. He threw a first-pitch strike to 26 of his 27 batters, only the second time that’s happened in the 21st century. In seven starts this season, his stat line is incredible.
- Means, 2021: 1.37 ERA, 46 ip, 50 Ks, 10 BB, 5 HR, 21 hits, 2.99 FIP, .266 xwOBA
John Means Business, and A’s fans have already seen it, twice. The 28-year-old is announcing himself as one of the new aces of the American League, and yesterday he put an exclamation point on it. All the more impressive that three of the five dingers off him so far this year are by Ramon Laureano, Sean Murphy, and Mitch Moreland!
Amazing anecdote from @Dsmoke34 on A’s postgame: After Dave Stewart threw a no-hitter on June 29, 1990, Fernando Valenzuela called him to say congratulations and that he was going to match him with a no-hitter of his own that night...
— Ben Ross (@BenRossTweets) May 6, 2021
And he did.
A’s Coverage
- Kawahara: Where’d the shortstop go? A’s embrace defensive shifts with new zeal ($)
- Rubin: Marcus Semien’s mom knew the A’s wouldn’t sign him in free agency ($$$)
- Gallegos: Relief trio vital to A’s early success
- Straight A’s podcast: Host Shayna Rubin joined by guest Melissa Lockard
- A’s Plus podcast: Host Matt Kawahara joined by Triple-A manager Fran Riordan
- Sarris: The easy rule that can reliably show if a player’s breakout is real (includes Piscotty) ($$$)
- McCaffrey: Dennis Eckersley’s highs and lows, from fist-pumping swag to World Series walk-off: ‘Shut up and let life happen’ ($$$)
- AL West: Angels DFA Albert Pujols in final year of contract
- A’s sign reliever Cam Bedrosian to minor league contract
- A’s re-acquire Skye Bolt from Giants
You know when you’re driving on 80 and you try to get over to 580 but you get stuck in the lane and next thing you know you have to make a 20 min, $6 trip to SF? That’s called a Skye Bolt #rootedinoakland
— Amelia Schimmel (@SchimmelAmelia) May 5, 2021
A’s injuries
- A’s place Jesús Luzardo and J.B. Wendelken on injured list
- A’s place Aramis Garcia on injured list, recall Austin Allen
Explanation
Jesús Luzardo says his pinkie fracture happened when he hit his hand swinging his arms out as a reaction while playing a video game before going to the stadium Saturday. "It was a dumb mistake and it was also just kind of like a freak accident."
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) May 4, 2021
Video demonstration
Since it’s hard to explain in a tweet, here’s Luzardo demonstrating how his hand hit the table.
— Shayna Rubin (@ShaynaRubin) May 4, 2021
He said it happened four hours before his start. pic.twitter.com/Vh4AUG3A5V
Garcia details
Melvin says Garcia has a stomach flu. "It's very contagious. But it's not "THE" virus."
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) May 4, 2021
A’s Game Highlights
- Game #23: Murphy, Manaea help A’s overcome another botched replay review call in win over Rays
- Game #24: A’s come close but fall 4-3 to Rays
- Game #25: A’s shut out for first time this year in quiet loss to Rays
- Game #26: Matt Chapman powers A’s to split in Tampa Bay
- Game #27: John Means Business again, outpitching Quality Mike Fiers
- Game #28: A’s out of sync in 8-4 loss to Orioles
- Game #29: Ramon Laureano leads hustling A’s to 7-5 victory
- Game #30: A’s fly higher than Blue Jays in 5-4 victory
- Game #31: Cole Irvin swerves past Blue Jays in dominant outing
- Game #32: A’s finally blow a save in loss to Blue Jays
- Ramon Laureano making MVP-level impact on 2021 A’s
- Mark Canha sets Oakland A’s career record with 60th hit-by-pitch
- Nico: A’s Are Finally Practicing What I Preach
Laureano hits the go-ahead homer two days in a row
RAMÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓN pic.twitter.com/4Lr866bO4D
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 4, 2021
There’s always at least one Matt homering
Chappy with the game-tying pic.twitter.com/bq4T8d4TV4
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 6, 2021
Just keep doubling
Two or two not, there is no tri pic.twitter.com/eFxKGNmOeC
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 5, 2021
And how about that A’s starting pitching?
Have yourself a , @Swirvin_irvin19
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 5, 2021
8 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 9 K pic.twitter.com/KvEC1DJ5f9
Bassitt got some more whiffs on the slider Wednesday night
An interesting graphic via the Royals broadcast: pic.twitter.com/02mm5UOS7V
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) May 4, 2021
Romo is heating up, with a few scoreless outings in a row
The fans love @SergioRomo54's music pic.twitter.com/hibJysCVzy
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) May 4, 2021
However, the bullpen finally blew a save, in the 32nd game of the year
Credit to Lou Trivino for talking to us after that rough outing. Made no excuses: “I just didn’t execute pitches. Bass threw a fantastic game. I thought we played really good baseball, and then I just crapped the bed. Just not my day. I gotta forget about it.”
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) May 6, 2021
Marcus Semien comes home for a visit!
Hugs all around for Marcus Semien's return to Oakland pic.twitter.com/L5SU8RZQZy
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 3, 2021
Video tribute for Semien
It's good to see you, 10. pic.twitter.com/vB6Dc3qRaW
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 4, 2021
A’s fans are pumped
Meanwhile in Oakland pic.twitter.com/0j5cVwYgSc
— Ben Ross (@BenRossTweets) May 6, 2021
Lowrie has a PhD in resiliency
Jed is proud of the team's resiliency so far this season
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) May 4, 2021
A's Postgame Live is airing right now on NBC Sports California and streaming here: https://t.co/A9bOnPeces pic.twitter.com/971dik2bcE
Laser show continues off the field
Little did he know.... HE BE TAKING THAT EXTRA LOAD #AllTimeFavRamonQuote pic.twitter.com/oCeQGh3VvM
— Simone McCarthy (@simonemccarthy0) May 4, 2021
A’s minors
- Lockard: Oakland A’s 2021 minor-league preview: Tyler Soderstrom begins in Stockton, Nick Allen in Midland ($$$)
- Jordan Diaz and Tyler Soderstrom highlight A’s minor league Opening Day
- Triple-A Las Vegas and High-A Lansing announce projected 2021 rosters
- Double-A Midland RockHounds announce projected 2021 roster
- Low-A Stockton Ports announce projected 2021 roster
Tyler Soderstrom’s first professional at-bat: Double
Tyler Soderstrom opens his pro career with a double down the left field line. @matthewkawahara pic.twitter.com/pWTbOIvEIX
— Justin Frommer (@JustinbFrommer) May 5, 2021
Jordan Diaz’s first at-bat in full-season ball: Homer
Here's tonight's Play of the Game: Jordan Díaz announces himself in High-A, driving in the first runs of 2021.#Lugnuts25 #RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/dk0f67U66q
— Lansing Lugnuts (@LansingLugnuts) May 5, 2021
William Simoneit’s first professional game after signing out of college last summer: Homer
Tonight's top play: A monster @JacksonNational homer by William Simoneit out toward The View! pic.twitter.com/UmAf4cF6JY
— Lansing Lugnuts (@LansingLugnuts) May 6, 2021
Old friends say hi
Although no longer an @Athletics affiliate, we want to say good luck to all the former Lake Monsters starting their Minor League seasons this week with @AviatorsLV, @RockHounds, @LansingLugnuts and @stocktonports, especially those who haven't been able to play since end of 2019.
— Vermont Lake Monsters (@VTLakeMonsters) May 4, 2021
MLB injuries
La Stella will miss 4-6 weeks
As expected, La Stella to the IL with a hamstring strain and Jason Vosler recalled. LH Conner Menez is the 27th man for today’s DH at Colorado.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) May 4, 2021
Former MVP out for a while
Joey Votto suffered a fractured thumb #REds "It's going to be weeks for sure," Bell said
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) May 5, 2021
Future MVP out for a while
Best-case scenario, Luis Robert is back from his torn hip flexor in late August. It’s going to take at least a few weeks to get ramped back up once he can get back into the swing of things. An awful break for the White Sox, who will explore acquiring a replacement. https://t.co/ewrwHsIYYe
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 3, 2021
There’s hope that deGrom might only miss one start
The MRI on Jacob deGrom showed inflammation in his right lat. He will refrain from throwing for the next few days.
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 4, 2021
RHP Jordan Yamamoto has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse…He will wear #45.
RHP Sean Reid-Foley has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
On the bright side!
Expect to see Khris Davis in a Rangers uniform sometime this weekend, manager Chris Woodward says. He didn't give an exact day, but said he expected it to be sometime during the Seattle series.
— Levi Weaver (@ThreeTwoEephus) May 5, 2021
Best of MLB Twitter
Never give up
Too meaningful of a post to keep within twitter’s character limit haha. So here’s a screenshot of my real caption. ❤️ #BiggerThanMe #BiggerThanSports pic.twitter.com/WyGfNYDX0R
— Drew Robinson (@Drewrobbb) May 5, 2021
Chili used to be the A’s hitting coach. His firing is said to be unpopular among Mets players, and things are already getting weird under the team’s new front office
The Mets have fired hitting coaches Chili Davis and Tom Slater tonight. Hugh Quattlebaum (minor-league hitting coordinator) and Kevin Howard (farm director) will take over, respectively.
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) May 4, 2021
Cubs and Reds have a brawl (click here for video)
Amir Garrett was suspended 7 games by MLB. Javier Báez was fined. You be the judge on who was "inciting a benches-clearing incident." #Reds pic.twitter.com/bfJfwED5fZ
— Brandon Saho (@BrandonSaho) May 4, 2021
Yikes
Tony La Russa did not know that he could have used Jose Abreu at second base as the free runner instead of closer Liam Hendriks. Was informed of an amendment to rule by @JRFegan. "I'm guessing you know the rules better. Now I know," he said.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) May 5, 2021
Manager Joe Girardi was “livid” with himself for this error
The Phillies have brought Enyel De Los Santos into the game, but he's not on the lineup card the umpires have. Oh my. He's coming out.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) May 5, 2021
Seems like a survey that A’s fans might be interested in
are you watching your favorite team(s) less often b/c they're not on streaming services? using illegal feeds? generally frustrated with the local broadcast issues?
— tim cato (@tim_cato) May 5, 2021
we'd like to hear from you. here's a short survey that will take less than 5 minutes: https://t.co/dFF0A77sxt
Happy retirement to an all-time A’s fan favorite!
Hello Retirement. Goodbye Baseball pic.twitter.com/vF0wKjqrfF
— Jerry Blevins (@jerryblevins) April 27, 2021
And they did win that day
Speaking it into existence pic.twitter.com/qcArsZbEI2
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 4, 2021
Angel Hernandez makes baseball worse