Gambler Starter Webb is More than Just Perfect

originally posted August 2004

To say that Aurora Gambler rookie starter Brandon Webb had a good month in August might be a bit of an understatement.  It would be more accurate to say that Webb did the impossible. 

In game 3 against the State Street Sluggers, Webb was perfect.  Not figuratively speaking, mind you. Just perfect.  No runs, no hits, no walks. Nothing.  It was the first perfect game in recent history of the Illowa League (it is said Orel Hershiser pitched one).

Ironically, opposing pitcher Kerry Wood pitched a 3-hitter for the Sluggers.  Unfortunately for Wood, one of those hits was a 2 run homerun by Derek Jeter and that’s all it took.  The Gamblers won 2-0.

It was the first no-hitter this year in the IAL.  Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez pitched a no-hitter for the State Street Sluggers near the end of the 2003 season.

But that’s only half the story

But Webb wasn’t done yet… far from it.  In game 8 against the Sluggers, Webb again took to the mound.  Webb allowed two baserunners in the game, a pair of walks (both to Omar Vizquel) to pitch his second no-hitter in as many starts!  The Gamblers won the game 4-0.

This is first time in the 30 year history of the IAL that a pitcher has pitched back-to-back no-hitters.  Add to this that one was a perfect game and that the pitcher was a rookie and you have the recipe for an bona fide unique event which will never be duplicated. 

Webb’s Series Stats against the Sluggers in August:

Webb entered the month of August with a 2-5 record and a 3.56 ERA.  He was the first pick of the 2004 IAL rookie draft.

The boxscore for Webb’s perfect  game:

Ichiro Breaks IAL Hit Record

originally posted Winter 2005

Molly Putts Marauder outfielder Ichiro Suzuki can now officially claim the single season hit record.  For the 2005 season, Ichiro collected 208 singles, 26 doubles, 7 triples and 10 homeruns for a total of 251 hits.

Ichiro’s 251 hits eclipsed Al Oliver’s 1981 total of 231 hits which remained the record until this year.  He is 6th on the list when he got 224 hits in 1998 with the Marauders.

Ichiro’s 208 singles and 704 at-bats also broke IAL single season records