PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Roy Halladay spent his whole career waiting for this start, wondering what it would be like to pitch in the playoffs.
It was better than he — or anyone else — could have predicted.
Halladay threw the second no-hitter in postseason history, leading the Philadelphia Phillies over the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 in Game 1 of the NL division series on Wednesday.
“It’s surreal, it really is,” Halladay said. “I just wanted to pitch here, to pitch in the postseason. To go out and have a game like that, it’s a dream come true.”
Don Larsen is the only other pitcher to throw a postseason no-hitter. He tossed a perfect game for the New York Yankees in the 1956 World Series against Brooklyn. The 54th anniversary of Larsen’s gem is this Friday.
Halladay took the Year of the Pitcher into October. The excitement spread beyond Citizens Bank Park — the last two outs were shown on the video board at Target Field, where the Twins were preparing to play the Yankees, and Minnesota fans cheered.
The All-Star right-hander, who threw a perfect game at Florida on May 29, dominated the Reds with a sharp fastball and a devastating slow curve in his first playoff start.
The overmatched Reds never came close to a hit. Halladay allowed only one runner, walking Jay Bruce on a full count with two outs in the fifth, and struck out eight.
“To get a no-hitter in this fashion, in your first postseason game, you’ve got to put it right up there,” Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard said.
Halladay threw 104 pitches, 79 for strikes.
“It’s no fun out there,” Reds slugger Joey Votto said. “It’s like trying to hit nothing. He’s an ace among aces.”
Halladay spent 12 seasons with Toronto, far from the postseason. A trade last December brought him to the defending two-time NL champions, and gave him this chance.
“This is what you come here for,” Halladay said. “It’s a good team, they know how to win. … It’s been a great year, a fun year, we obviously have a ways to go.”
With a sellout crowd standing in the ninth and chanting “Let’s Go, Doc!” Halladay got a loud ovation when he jogged to the mound to start the inning.
Ramon Hernandez popped out to second baseman Chase Utley for the first out. Pinch-hitter Miguel Cairo then fouled out to third baseman Wilson Valdez.
Halladay then retired Brandon Phillips on a tapper in front of the plate to end it. Catcher Carlos Ruiz pounced on the ball, getting down on his knee as the ball rolled near Phillips’ bat, and made a strong throw for the final out.
“If I was catching, I probably would’ve picked up the ball and bat and threw them both,” Phils manager Charlie Manuel said.
Halladay pumped his fist into his glove as Ruiz rushed to the mound. Just like catcher Yogi Berra did with Larsen, Ruiz started to jump into Halladay’s arms. Unlike Berra, the 5-foot-8 Ruiz didn’t wrap up his pitcher in a bear hug.
“I felt like we got in a groove early,” Halladay said. “Carlos has been great all year, he helps me get into a rhythm early, throwing strikes.”
Phillies aces Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels ran out of the dugout side-by-side to congratulate the other member of Philadelphia’s Big 3. Pretty soon, everyone in a Phillies uniform was part of the victory party.
Shortstop Jimmy Rollins made the toughest play to preserve the no-hitter, going deep in the hole and making a strong throw to retire Votto in the fourth.
Pitcher Travis Wood hit a sinking liner to right that Jayson Werth caught in the third. Pinch-hitter Juan Francisco hit a hard grounder up the middle in the sixth, but Rollins scooted over and made it look easy.
There were five no-hitters in the majors this year as pitchers dominated. But five no-hit bids got broken up in the ninth inning, too.
Halladay became the fifth pitcher to throw two no-hitters in the same year. He joined Nolan Ryan (1973), Virgil Trucks (1952), Allie Reynolds (1951) and Johnny Vander Meer (1938).
The last time a pitcher came close to a no-hitter in the postseason was quite a while ago. Boston’s Jim Lonborg went 7 2-3 innings against St. Louis in the 1967 World Series before Julian Javier broke up it with a double, STATS LLC said.
The Phillies led the majors in wins (97) for the first time in franchise history, captured their fourth consecutive division title and are trying to become the first NL team in 66 years to win three straight pennants.
They are prohibitive favorites in this best-of-five against the NL Central champion Reds, who are making their first postseason appearance since 1995.
Game 2 is Friday at Philadelphia.
The Reds led the NL in average (.272), homers (188) and runs (790). But they couldn’t do anything against Halladay, who won 21 games and is a strong candidate to win his second Cy Young Award.
The 33-year-old Halladay topped the NL in victories and led the majors in innings, shutouts and complete games. He was at the top of his game from the get-go in Game 1.
A determined, intense Halladay got ahead of hitters and worked quickly. He threw first-pitch strikes to 17 of the first 18 batters.
“It was great managing,” Manuel joked. “He was very good. He had a tremendous feel. He sold his pitches well.”
Halladay even did it at the plate. He ignited a three-run, two-out rally in the second with an RBI single.
On the opposite side, 27-year-old Edinson Volquez looked like a postseason rookie. He never seemed to get comfortable on the mound, taking his time between pitches, tugging at his cap and long dreadlocks and breathing deeply. At one point, Hernandez, from his crouched position behind the plate, motioned for him to calm down.
Volquez allowed four runs and four hits in 1 2-3 innings. The hard-throwing right-hander was 4-3 in 12 starts this season after returning from elbow surgery.
Halladay was so eager to join the Phillies that he passed up a chance to test free agency after this season and signed a $60 million, three-year extension to complete a trade. Halladay probably would’ve received the richest contract ever for a pitcher if he held off, but he wanted to play in Philadelphia.
There was much talk down the stretch about Halladay’s inexperience in the postseason. The Phillies also have Oswalt and Hamels. Both pitchers have been dominant in previous playoff games, but Halladay got the ball and didn’t disappoint.
Halladay got his first strikeout in the second, fooling Scott Rolen on an 85 mph changeup. He caught Rolen looking at a fastball on the outside corner to start the fifth, and fanned him again on a 79 mph changeup in the seventh.
The Phillies gave Halladay all the runs he would need in the first.
Shane Victorino sliced a one-out double down the left-field line. He stole third and scored on Utley’s sacrifice fly to right. A fired-up Victorino slid headfirst barely ahead of Bruce’s strong one-hop throw, got up and patted plate umpire John Hirschbeck on the behind on his way to the dugout.
Ruiz drew a two-out walk in the second and Valdez bounced an infield single that shortstop Orlando Cabrera fielded on the second-base side of the infield. Halladay then hit a hard liner to left that fell in ahead of Jonny Gomes’ sliding attempt. Ruiz scored to make it 2-0. After Rollins walked to load the bases, Victorino chased Volquez with a two-run single.
With the crowd waving their white-and-red “Fightin’ Phils” rally towels, Victorino fouled off consecutive 3-2 pitches before lining a hit to left-center for a 4-0 lead.
The Phillies got swept by the Reds in the 1976 NLCS. Philadelphia won a franchise-record 101 games that season to snap a 25-year playoff drought. But the Phillies ran into the Big Red Machine, which swept through the postseason to win its second consecutive World Series title.
It’s a reversed situation now. The Phillies — call them the New Red Machine — are perhaps in the middle of a dynasty, while Cincinnati is the young team on the rise.
Notes: Former Phillies LHP Scott Eyre, a member of the championship team in ‘08, threw out the first pitch. … Phillies 3B Placido Polanco was scratched with a sore back. He expects to play Game 2. … The Phillies swept a tight four-game series in Philadelphia heading into the All-Star break, winning by scores of 4-3, 9-7, 1-0 and 1-0. … Halladay hit .141 (13 for 92) this season.
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Slevdog1
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 10:24amThis is great story, yet why are some bringing political stuff into this? Seriously! Keep it in context.
Report Post »gobluebuckeye
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 9:44amHe really has to be in the top three of best pitchers in baseball in the last ten years, good for him!!!!
Report Post »warner
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 8:02amGreat game! You kids need to chill out a little bit! Yes, we are all ticked and fed up with Obama and the Liberals but I find it refreshing from time to time to view some positive, uplifting news. So, please just relax… and enjoy the accomplishment!
Report Post »emertz8413
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 7:27amAs a Cincinnati fan I congratulate him, but here’s to the Reds winning the series!!
Report Post »Red Neckerson
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 2:51amAs a die hard baseball fan and a Atlanta Braves fan I think this is great, I love it, you gotta admire the guy. Now if he passes the steroid test it will really be a milestone.
Report Post »ammon_arms
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:25amNot only is Halladay the best pitcher in the game, he is also one of the most remarkable guys. Extremely charitable, Christian, family man. Just happy to see such a great guy have such great success! Well done Doc!!
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:55pmGreat job by that guy, Halladay. I‘ll bet he won’t get much sleep tonight. How could he stop thinking about what he just accomplished!
Report Post »caitlynsdad
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:14pmLifetime Philadelphia fan here, what a privilege to watch this game; also saw the perfect game earlier this season. It was obvious from the start that Halliday was dealing; hey, he knows how to work the corners. Think of how dominant this pitcher has been, winning 21 games this season, coming within a walk of a perfect game tonight, and in his last start of the regular season allowing only two baserunners and facing 28 batters in a complete game; and the first since Nolan Ryan to throw two no-nos in the same year. And now Cincinnati has to face Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels. Ouch! My guess is for a Philadelphia-Minnesota World Series.
(And I second SnowLeopard above, Halliday achieved this–obviously because of talent–but also because of his determination and work ethic, and not some “no baseball player left behind” government program. Halliday is a joy to watch.)
Report Post »Yakimaniacal
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:13pmHey you self-righteous douche bags, sometimes it’s nice to appreciate excellence, whether in life, sport, art, or whatever. What a bunch of tight-ass clones. Smile occasionally, you might like it! There is time to take a break from the socialist vermin, corruption, decadence, and apathy from Washington DC occasionally, and enjoy some of what they haven’t yet destroyed beyond repair. Sports is one way for many people. If you have another escape cool, just quit being so snarky about anything not in your scope of interest.
Report Post »Venom
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 1:28amYou tell em!
Report Post »Rumblefox
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:02pmI watched this game start to finish. Loved it. My Ray‘s are lettin’ me down though… we gotta pull through this.
Report Post »Venom
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 1:27amRangers are gonna win ;)
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:55pmCongradulations Mr Halladay!
Under the rules of “fair play” for the Obama admin, the achievement would be denied in the basis for it denies all players the ability to make the same achievement.
Mr Halladay demonstrates that everyone of us has a chance to excell to the heights of our own goals and achievements, dream little dreams and you will achieve them while dream for the stars, and you just might be the first to fly among them as well.
Remember, though about Obama’s book burnings, the little trouble of the past called the Inquisition and Hitlers Germany (the perversion he made of it by his great deluded dreams) shows just what can happen when evil dreamers strive for their dreams and the good people (read – American Citizens!) do nothing.
htttp://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:51pmall right BLAZE………this is nice………but we dont care there is more important issues at hand. If your experiencing a slow news cycle, maybe you should be looking into updating the site, like a post tracker so its easier to track responses to posts, and a voting mechanism that would allow us to not delete but close troll posts…………..kinda fun to read but irritating when you have to scroll thru pages of drivel ( like abc’s posts on epa report) but other than that you guys are doin a great job. sorry for ranting a bit lol …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………YOU GUYS GOT YOUR SURF BOARDS WAXED FOR NOVEMBER? I HEAR THE WAVES ARE GOING TO BE EPIC WOOT WOOT
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:55pmProspero & Psychosis have little brain unable to process anything beyond their reach
Report Post »FreedomOfSpeech
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:59pmSo if I said that the Bilderbergs were running The Blaze would you skip over that? Ha.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:13pmConsidered
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:34pm@ POVERTY why do i have a small brain? just because i feel whats going on in our country is maybe more important than baseball? Its not that i don’t think this is news, i just wish there was a separate section for stuff that doesn’t really follow the reason this site was started. I don’t see any evidence of an inability to process or any evidence of something out of “reach.” Now just sayin…… baseball is boring as hell lol and football is tiresome too. on the other hand rugby rocks and lefty smackin is something every red- blooded American can enjoy :)
Report Post »Masamune
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:39pmI don‘t see anything wrong with commenting on America’s pastime. Its nice to have refreshing news like this now and again.
Report Post »Venom
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 1:26amYou guys need to get the hell off the computer and enjoy life a little. I don’t think there is anyone that likes whats going on in the country but you people need to find something to relax on and no stay in a tizz all the time. Seriously lighten up. The Blaze i salute you for having a sports section
Report Post »PubliusPencilman
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 7:44pmI think the question is why, if you think this topic is so insignificant, do you take the time to post at all? We really don’t need to hear your whining!
But then again, I got nothing but time, since the Red Sox didn’t even make the postseason!
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:49pmHalladay has expanded upon the strike zone. Who will take the hit?
Report Post »FreedomOfSpeech
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:43pmGood game, who cares.
Report Post »Most of us here know about Obama‘s recent book burning but for those who don’t, please see this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT0qgjxJyRA
Nothing good happens when the government starts burning books and this administration has done it on a massive scale.
Venom
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:45pmStop posting this. Its a great game. Push your video somewhere else
Report Post »FreedomOfSpeech
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:51pm@Venom Ain’t my video pal, I’m just pissed about it. Stop posting your stuff or don’t tell me what to post.
Report Post »PubliusPencilman
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:52pmYeah, no kidding.
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:31amBaseball is the national past-time and this great achievement should be celebrated.
Report Post »Venom
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 1:23am@Freedomofspeech
Report Post »First of all im not your pal, secondly this is where to leave a comment not to push yours or anyone elses video because your “mad” about it. Everyone is pissed at Obama, its no secret, so anything to push something such as burning books is just redundant. Again, great game, Halladay= Future Hall of Famer
FreedomOfSpeech
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 11:11am@Venom I can post anything I want, just as you can. I could care less if you don’t think this is “the place” for what I post. My posts about book burning are included in relevant posts and they only occur about one out of 15 of my posts. So how about you mind your own business? I do what I want, PAL.
Report Post »PubliusPencilman
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 7:40pmFreedomofSpeech,
Report Post »Stop being such a baby. Sure, you are allowed to be a jerk, but that does not mean you should exercise this particular right. Go post your crap someplace else.
FreedomOfSpeech
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 9:18pm@PubliusPencilman I’ve seen you on other posts and all you ever do is criticize other posters. Why don’t you jump off a bridge? Or maybe get an original thought. While I may try to get people educated about certain issues, I also contribute to the conversations, which is more than I can say for you. Thanks for your opinion. I have filed it in the rubbish container.
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