Max Scherzer runs his record to 13-0 as the Tigers beat the Blue Jays 6-2. Max lasts 6 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out eight, giving up two runs. His ERA stands at 3.09. He has now struck out 139 while walking 26. He has allowed 11 home runs in 116 2/3 innings.
Thirty five years ago yesterday, Ron Guidry won his 13th game to go 13-0. I was at that game, which was against Detroit. I remember Mickey Rivers coming off the bench, having just come off the disabled list. He hit a double off the wall in right, but the Tigers rightfielder, for some reason, argued with the ump without calling time and Rivers came all the way around to score. Guidry pitched a great game, and it was a fun double header at the ballpark, my first time in the remodeled Yankee Stadium.
Guidry pitched more innings than max, both making 17 starts to get to 13-0. Ron had a high K total, but not as high a rate as Scherzer, and Max is showing better control. Guidry allowed just four home runs, however. Two great streaks, 35 years apart.
I was also at Guidry’s thirteenth win in ’78 (he was incredible that year), sitting with my Dad and a group from his office for that game (the font end of a doubleheader). We had seats down the first base line and on Rivers’ fly ball a fan reached over the wall and tried to catch it (ala Jeffrey Maier), ruining the rightfielder’s (Mickey Stanley, I think) chance to catch it. Stanley went nuts screaming at the umpire and Rivers flew around the bases … It was a clear case of fan interference, but that could be the Red Sox Fan in me …
Keep up the great work with the blog …
Bill » Do you remember the Nettles home run in game 2? The pitcher knocked him down, then Nettles got up and smacked one over the fence.
I remember watching that game on TV. Mickey Stanley was the outfielder in question; the interference was obvious, but he should have thrown the ball back in before arguing with the umpire.
Amazing how one play from a ballgame 35 years ago seems like it was yesterday.
David — I do remember the second game, too. Nettles’ homer was the first walk-off home run, I’d ever seen in person and I didn’t see another another one in person for 28 years …