Do They Get Credit For A No Hitter?

Arizona and San Diego just finished an 18-inning marathon. The most amazing part of the contest: The Padres were held hitless through nine extra innings by four relievers. Their only baserunners in extras came on three walks. So the Diamondbacks' relievers threw a 3 walk, 9 inning, no hitter in extra innings. Not too bad, right? But this was after the Diamondbacks relievers gave up a 5 run lead in the 9th inning! So much for the importance of set-up men and closers, right?

And the guy with the game-tying 3-run homerun in the 9th? That would be David Eckstein, who had NO homeruns in 2009 before today and who has 32 homeruns in his career, and, according to Baseball-Reference, he had only ONE game-tying homerun before today. And his only other game-tying homerun was the first homerun he ever hit in the major leagues (off of Tim Hudson in 2001) over 8 years ago!

At least we can take solace that one of the relievers who pitched well in extras for Arizona was our man, Clay Zavada

But this game certainly proved that every time you go to the ballpark, you'll probably see something really unique and interesting. This was no difference. They got to see two games of innings (18) for the price of one game. Though I do wonder how many people stayed to see the end; the game took 5 hours and 45 minutes.