Sports betting fans saw the first no-hitter of the Major League Baseball season on Saturday as Ubaldo Jimenez sparkled vs. the Atlanta Braves. It was the first no-hitter ever for the Rockies and was highlighted by a superb catch by outfielder Dexter Fowler in the seventh inning. The Rockies ended up the 4-0 sportsbetting winner thanks to the gem thrown by Jimenez.
Sports betting odds oftentimes favor Jimenez as he is considered one of the bright young star pitchers in baseball. He sure was great on Saturday as he no-hit the Braves. “It is every pitcher’s dream to be out there for nine innings and throw a no-hitter,” Jimenez said. It is the first no-hitter in baseball since Mark Buehrle threw a perfect game in a 5-0 victory over Tampa Bay last July.
Jimenez was wild early in the game and walked six. His pitching coach Bob Apodaca told Jimenez to just pitch from the stretch. He retired the next 15 batters as he was in total control. He needed some help from Fowler in the seventh inning though. Troy Glaus hit a sinking line driver but Fowler made a spectacular catch to save the no-hitter. “The way he dove, I was like unbelievable,” Jimenez said.
It was not an easy no-hitter for Jimenez as in the ninth inning he had to face the middle of the Atlanta order. “Oh my God, Chipper and McCann,” Jimenez said. “They’re two of the best hitters in the league. Why did it have to be those guys? Can’t they give me a break or something?” Sports betting stats indicated that in the ninth inning, Martin Prado popped out, Chipper Jones hit an easy fly ball to left and McCann grounded out. “I’d never been no-hit. I’d never even seen a no-hitter, except on TV. … It was probably the best performance I’ve ever seen. He’s impressive.” McCann said.
Jimenez threw a ton of pitches (128) and that was a concern for manager Jim Tracy. “Because it’s only his third start of the season, I start looking at the (pitch count),” Tracy said. “Is the pitch count intact enough to the point it doesn’t become ridiculous and you run the risk of jeopardizing a young man’s career?” Jimenez was 15-12 with a 3.47 ERA last baseball sportsbetting season. This year he has a 1.29 ERA in three starts. There are no just three franchises that don’t have a no-hitter. The New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays have never had a pitcher throw a no-hitter.
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