April 21, 2016: Oh What A Night

posted in: Blackhawks, Cubs | 1

I think we will be remembering this date for years to come.  Depending on what happens the rest of the series for the Blackhawks, it could have even more importance.  It didn’t start out too well.

Couple notable deaths…. Chyna from the WWE passed; everybody seemed to forget about that one.  That’s because one of the all timers was announced dead today; Prince is gone.  My wife had her concert shirt on, I see all the buildings lit up with purple, as well as, all the people wearing purple.  It’s amazing all the music he was responsible for, not only singing & performing himself, but the music he wrote for others.  He’s definitely legendary status; glad we got to see him in his last visit to the UC.  The day got better from this point…

It was a pretty nice day weather wise in the Windy City.  Left work a tad bit early, got some pizza with my son, and then stopped at the park for a while.  Got home, and flipped on his TV:  Lionguard and PJ Masks were the 2 shows this evening.  I wasn’t too worried about the Cubs game, and was pretty tired to boot.  So as I nodded in and out of sleep while my son watched his TV shows, there was something special going on. 

I should know better.  I don’t want to compare it to when MJ graced our basketball courts, and not wanting to miss one minute of his play, but when Jake is on the mound, we need to pay attention… at least until that first hit is given up.  This guy has been that good since the 2nd half ot the 2014 season.  Back then, in his 18 2nd half starts, Jake took a no hitter into the 5th inning 7 times.  He did that twice in 2015.  He took a no hitter into the 7th inning 4 times over the past 3 seasons.  This guy is worthy of a no hitter alert every single time on the mound.

Back to last night, and speaking of that first hit, when I finally tuned into the game in the 5th inning, he hadn’t allowed it.  OK, now I’m locked into the game.  With the score being more lopsided by the inning, I would have let my son watch one more TV show before bed… or even tuned into some Blackhawks pregame.  But no… we were in the bedroom… locked into comcast (I had to switch to Comcast plus just before 8)… not moving… not messing up the mojo.  I wasn’t too worried about jinxing it, as I began to send text messages out.  Could he do it?

This improves the blood flow by dilating the penile arteries. viagra pills online Well, clinical guidelines has mentioned that if a buy levitra Facts about buy levitra person is a patient of certain heart disease or stress. You log into your email account and discover that you are not primed for sex the same click now viagra online without prescription amount as your mate then you might be looking to an upgrade feature to bail you out. They are continuously releasing more and more advanced accessories to improve the gaming process and take it the next on line viagra discount here level. His pitch count was pretty high, but I believe he threw something like 9 pitches between the 6th and 7th innings… or maybe it was the 7th & 8th… something like that.  So he was back targeted at a reasonable amount.  There really wasn’t any close calls.  He did whip his head around after a couple flyouts/line outs to Fowler, but no fear.  Now, we head to the 9th.

I love how Comcast didn’t go to commercial after the top of the 9th.  They followed Jake to the mound during warmups.  They panned the crowd mostly Cubs fans on the edge of their seats, getting ready for these final 3 outs.  A no hitter is a pretty big deal.  Behind the plate, David Ross was hoping to catch his first.  In the dugout, John Lackey was hoping to see his first in person.  The stage was set.

My buddy from LA who is a Reds fan predicted that it would be Suarez who breaks up the no hitter, and after Jake got 2 outs and walked a batter, it was none other than Eugenio that stepped to the plate.  On 0-2, Jake threw a change up just off the plate… the ump didn’t give him the call.  Next pitch, he stood out there with a fastball… missed again.  On the 2-2 pitch, Suarez hit a fly ball to right.  As Jason Heyward coasted under the ball, the excitement started.  As he squeezed the ball, it was official.  History!  History times 2 for Jake.

Oh what a night!!!  A no hitter!!!  Are you kidding me!!!!  I missed the last Jake no hitter because of a Santana concert; I was so happy I saw this one.  I hugged my wife… I was so happy… what a moment.  Love how the guy ran on the field to celebrate with the Cubs; my wife made me rewind it to see it again.  Let the celebration begin!  Now, it’s time to watch some postgame, but wait, there’s more…

There was another game going on in Chicago last night.  Yes, I know the Sox played earlier and lost, but I’m talking Blackhawks.  I’m talking Blackhawks playoffs backs against the wall time.  And the game had already started… the night isn’t over yet!  In fact, it had only just begun.

  1. MK

    Jake the undertaker!

    Since june 21 of last year, 24 consecutive quality starts, 178 2/3 innings, 91 hits, 20-1 record, 0.86 era (best ever, even better than bob gibson’s 0.90 over the same amount of starts), and 2 no hitters!

    Stats are not everything, but they are pretty clear here. What we are seeing with jake is history! Time to see the same with the Cubs in 2016!! GO CUBS GO!!!

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