MLB Network is celebrating no-hitters throughout Tuesday, with their programming including the night Fernando Valenzuela turned in a historic performance against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Los Angeles Dodgers provided more than enough offense, cruising to a 6-0 win.
The no-hitter was Valenzuela’s first — and only — of his career, and it marked the first by a Dodgers pitcher since Jerry Reuss in 1980, and just the franchise’s second since 1970. Valenzuela finished the 1990 season with a 13-13 record, 4.59 ERA and 1.47 WHIP.
He took the mound at Dodger Stadium on June 29, 1990, having suffered a loss in three of his past six outings. Valenzuela threw 119 pitches, issued three walks and collected seven strikeouts.
The final out of the no-hitter spawned one of Vin Scully’s more famous calls, “If you have a sombrero, throw it to the sky!”
Beyond Valenzuela having a memorable night on an individual level, it was the second no-hitter of the day. Roughly 30 minutes before throwing his first pitch, Valenzuela saw Oakland Athletics right-hander Dave Stewart complete a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Valenzuela wondered aloud in the Dodgers clubhouse if there would be a second on the night. Sure enough, his performance marked the only in baseball history two no-hitters were thrown on the same day.
No-hitters programming on MLB Network for Tuesday, May 5
6:00 a.m.: Seattle Mariners at Toronto Blue Jays, May 5, 2018 — James Paxton’s no-hitter in his native Canada
8:00 a.m.: Tampa Bay Rays at Seattle Mariners, Aug. 15, 2012 — Felix Hernandez’s perfect game
10:00 a.m.: St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers, June 29, 1990 — Fernando Valenzuela’s no-hitter
12:00 p.m.: Houston Astros at San Francisco Giants, June 13, 2012 — Matt Cain’s perfect game
2:00 p.m.: St. Louis Cardinals at New York Mets, June 1, 2012 — Johan Santana’s no-hitter, the first in Mets history
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