First, Josh Beckett--part of the notorious "mega-trade" between the Red Sox and Dodgers in August 2012 and thought by many to be a lost cause--made his "going the distance moment" into something special by throwing a no-hitter against the Phillies. (The Dodgers won, 6-0.)It's the first no-no of the year, which is surprising given the continuing strides being made by starting pitchers.
This is not an odd-numbered year, which makes it an unusual one for Beckett to be pitching well (his odd-even splits: 76-43, 3.35 in odd-numbered years, 66-72, 4.48 in even-numbered years), but we're sure the Dodgers will take it.
Second, Astros lefty Dallas Keuchel continued his streak of first-rate pitching with a four-hit CG against the Mariners at home in Minute Maid Park. It was Keuchel's second complete game in his last three starts; in between, manager Bo Porter had allowed him to throw 128 pitches in an effort to give him a second consecutive shutout. (Just say no, Bo.)Keuchel improved his record to 6-2; how ironic would it be, by the way, for the Houston Astros to have a star named Dallas? Again, we're sure that the Astros will take it.
