By: Tyler Ward
The MLB was so close to having a 5th no-hitter this season, but it just wasn't meant to be. In a 1-0 extra inning loss against the Phillies, rookie Travis Wood took a perfect game into the 9th inning, but it was broken up by Philadelphia's Carlos Ruiz to leadoff the inning.
Matching up against ace Roy Halladay, Wood threw an amazing game, only surrendering one hit and striking out eight in nine innings. He matched Halladay pitch for pitch, as he also threw nine scoreless innings. The rookie was trying to be the first pitcher to throw a no-no since Boston's Clay Buchholz in 2007. Wood dominated an injured Phillies lineup, but they lost the game in 11 innings after Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins hit an RBI single in the top half of the inning.
The Reds could have won the game in the 8th with runners on first and third and one out in the inning. Halladay buckled down and struck out catcher Ryan Hanigan. His pitching counterpart, Wood, came up next and struck out, ending the Reds' threat of a win.
They could have also won the game in the 10th when Brad Lidge relieved Halladay of his pitching duties. Jay Bruce led off the inning with a double to left center. He then advanced to third on Miguel Cairo's sacrifice. The next batter, Drew Stubbs, was walked and Lidge returned to strike out Hanigan. Laynce Nix pinch hit for Wood and was intentionally walked to bring up leadoff batter, Brandon Phillips. Phillips, 0-7 in his career against Lidge, flew out to center and the Reds' threat was foiled again.
This was the third consecutive extra inning in a 4 game weekend for the Phillies. Two days ago, Brian Schneider homered in the 12th to give the Phillies a 4-3 walk-off win. Yesterday, Reds rookie Mike Leake left the game in the 9th after the Reds had built up a 7-1 lead. Leake got a no decision in the game, as Philadelphia's Ryan Howard hit a two-run home run off Arthur Rhodes to give them another walk-off win.
After starting three games for the Reds, Wood is still 0-0, but has a 2.18 ERA. He spent six seasons in the minors after being called up by Cincinnati a short while ago. Wood has also only given up nine hits in almost 21 innings of work. Roy Halladay also got a no-decision and still remains 10-7 on the season.
