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batted balls · 08-12-2006, 09:35 PM

July 9, 2007

Champaign, Ill. & Austin, Tex.--All-American Baseball League history was nearly made Friday night. But in the end, two pitchers who flirted with the record books wound up only with losses in their ledgers.

Fred Beebe of Illinois and Roger Clemens of Texas came within eye lashes of throwing no-hitters--and on the same day.

Beebe, who started the All-Star Game for the East, had his near no-hitter against defending AABL champion Ivy. Beebe began the ninth inning with a 1-0 lead. The Illini right-hander walked Steve Yerkes to open the frame. Bebee then retired fellow All-Star Hughie Jennings on a pop out. That brought up Ivy first baseman and reigning Golden Spikes Award winner Lou Gehrig.

"I may have been too carefull with Gehrig," said Beebe after the game.

After falling behind in the count, Bebee grooved a fastball down the middle. Gehrig lined it for a double into the right-center field gap. Yerkes stopped at third.

Ivy then tied the score as Sam Mele lofted a sacrifice fly to right. Roy Thomas then singled home Gehrig with what proved to be the game-winning run.

"I may have lost my focus when I needed it most," said Bebee (shown below).

Bebee, who walked four and struck out five, threw 120 pitches. The loss dropped his record to 11-6. Jeff Musselman (3-0) picked up the win for Ivy. Chris Young notched his seventh save with a flawless ninth.

Meanwhile, Clemens pitched even better than Bebee. The problem was, his Longhorn teammates couldn't score against Oklahoma State starter Joe Horlen.

Clemens hurled no-hit ball against the Cowboys through nine innings. In fact, Clemens walked none and struck out eight. Only an error by first baseman Joe Hague kept Clemens from being perfect. Then came the 10th inning.

After retiring the first Oklahoma State batter, Clemens lost his no-hitter when Jerry Adair doubled over the head of Texas center fielder Ernie Koy. With Clemens' pitch count at 105, Texas manager Cliff Gustafson pulled him in favor of reliever Ricky Wright.

"I was worried about Roger's arm and his head," said Gustafson.

Moments later, Wright gave up the game's only run on a Pete Incaviglia double. Relievers Scott Baker and Mike Henneman retired the Longhorns in order to preserve the Oklahoma State victory.

"It's a crying shame that we didn't score for Roger," Gustafson said. "Maybe next time I'll hand Roger a bat."

Clemens said, "Sure, it hurts. I'm a competitor. It hurts to get so close, but that's baseball for you."

The hard-luck loss dropped Clemens' record to 8-8. Horlen, who allowed six hits and walked only one, improved to 5-10.

No pitcher has thrown a no-hitter this season. There were two last year. Ironically, the first came from an Oklahoma State pitcher (Allie Reynolds). The other was thrown by an Illinois hurler (John Ericks).

08-12-2006, 09:35 PM	#220 (permalink)
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	AABL History Foiled as Two No-Hitters Turn into Two Losses July 9, 2007 Champaign, Ill. & Austin, Tex.--All-American Baseball League history was nearly made Friday night. But in the end, two pitchers who flirted with the record books wound up only with losses in their ledgers. Fred Beebe of Illinois and Roger Clemens of Texas came within eye lashes of throwing no-hitters--and on the same day. Beebe, who started the All-Star Game for the East, had his near no-hitter against defending AABL champion Ivy. Beebe began the ninth inning with a 1-0 lead. The Illini right-hander walked Steve Yerkes to open the frame. Bebee then retired fellow All-Star Hughie Jennings on a pop out. That brought up Ivy first baseman and reigning Golden Spikes Award winner Lou Gehrig. "I may have been too carefull with Gehrig," said Beebe after the game. After falling behind in the count, Bebee grooved a fastball down the middle. Gehrig lined it for a double into the right-center field gap. Yerkes stopped at third. Ivy then tied the score as Sam Mele lofted a sacrifice fly to right. Roy Thomas then singled home Gehrig with what proved to be the game-winning run. "I may have lost my focus when I needed it most," said Bebee (shown below). Bebee, who walked four and struck out five, threw 120 pitches. The loss dropped his record to 11-6. Jeff Musselman (3-0) picked up the win for Ivy. Chris Young notched his seventh save with a flawless ninth. Meanwhile, Clemens pitched even better than Bebee. The problem was, his Longhorn teammates couldn't score against Oklahoma State starter Joe Horlen. Clemens hurled no-hit ball against the Cowboys through nine innings. In fact, Clemens walked none and struck out eight. Only an error by first baseman Joe Hague kept Clemens from being perfect. Then came the 10th inning. After retiring the first Oklahoma State batter, Clemens lost his no-hitter when Jerry Adair doubled over the head of Texas center fielder Ernie Koy. With Clemens' pitch count at 105, Texas manager Cliff Gustafson pulled him in favor of reliever Ricky Wright. "I was worried about Roger's arm and his head," said Gustafson. Moments later, Wright gave up the game's only run on a Pete Incaviglia double. Relievers Scott Baker and Mike Henneman retired the Longhorns in order to preserve the Oklahoma State victory. "It's a crying shame that we didn't score for Roger," Gustafson said. "Maybe next time I'll hand Roger a bat." Clemens said, "Sure, it hurts. I'm a competitor. It hurts to get so close, but that's baseball for you." The hard-luck loss dropped Clemens' record to 8-8. Horlen, who allowed six hits and walked only one, improved to 5-10. No pitcher has thrown a no-hitter this season. There were two last year. Ironically, the first came from an Oklahoma State pitcher (Allie Reynolds). The other was thrown by an Illinois hurler (John Ericks). Attached Images __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 08-13-2006 at 04:30 PM.