PHOENIX – There was Theodore, then Bumpus and Bobo. Now there’s Tyler Gilbert.
An aspiring electrician, the 27-year-old left-hander delivered a shocker for Major League Baseball’s history books Saturday night.
Gilbert became the fourth pitcher – and first in 68 years – to throw a no-hitter in his first big league start, lifting the Arizona Diamondbacks over the San Diego Padres 7-0 with the record-tying eighth no-hitter in the majors this season.
The previous pitcher to accomplish the feat in his first start was Bobo Holloman of the St. Louis Browns on May 6, 1953. Bumpus Jones also did it in his major league debut with the Cincinnati Reds on Oct. 15, 1892, and Theodore Breitenstein threw one in his first start for the Browns on Oct. 4, 1891.
The eight no-hitters matched the mark set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was allowed.