Tyler Gilbert made major Major League Baseball history when he became the fourth bowler to score a goal or goal in his debut on Saturday at Chase Field with a 7-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks against the San Diego Padres.
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Gilbert, who has had three short relief games since the start of the month, allowed three walking runs on Saturday and needed 102 throws to finish the match.
The last defender to achieve this feat the first time he started a game was Bobo Holloman in 1953. It was also the third game without a point or hit in the team’s history.
“It’s such a kind of day,” Gilbert said after the game, according to the official website of Major League Baseball. I know the bullets hit, but they were hit in a direction [mes coéquipiers]. Then I made some good throws. To be honest, everything seemed so fast during the match.”
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo decided to remove Caleb Smith from the spin to enter Gilbert. Initially, the coach and his team set a limit of 85 shots for the newcomer. But as the bowler was heading into a game without a point or hit, he eventually pushed the limit to 110 shots.
After the match, Lovulou did not regret his choice.
‘To me,’ he said, ‘that’s all about the big ball–as long as you’re in uniform, and as long as you put in the effort, anything is possible.’ Everything was perfect for him today. We’ll celebrate it.”
The ball before the strings
Gilbert’s story was even more surprising when, at the age of 27, he switched to a career as an electrician with his father last year, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of seasons in minor leagues.
“It’s crazy,” Gilbert said. I am glad to be here. I’d rather be here than laying wires. No hard feelings, Dad.”
