Joe Musgrove has officially thrown the first no-hitter in San Diego Padres franchise history against the Texas Rangers.
Throwing 112 pitches, Musgrove was able to get it done on the road for the Friars, which was his hometown team growing up in El Cajon. Up until today, the Padres were also the only major league team without a no-hitter under their belt.
Musgrove had 10 strikeouts and just one baserunner all game, who was hit by a pitch to get on base. He threw 77 of his 112 pitches for strikes, and he retired the first 11 batters he faced.
The 28-year-old pitcher said there was “no way” he was coming out of the game, as the Padres had assumed closer, Mark Melancon, warming up in the bullpen during the bottom of the ninth inning.
Being that this was the first no-hitter in franchise history, it is only fitting that the player that does it is a hometown player who grew up rooting for the Padres, in just his second start for the team. Musgrove said he grew up watching Padres star Jake Peavy pitch, and wanted to emulate him as much as he could. As a result, Musgrove wears Peavy’s no. 44 jersey, along with an “SD” tattoo, to honor the Cy Young winner and World Series champion.
Musgrove was an offseason acquisition for the Padres, who was traded to them by the Pittsburgh Pirates in January.
