Final: Astros 3, Dodgers 0
WP: Mike Fiers (6-9, 3.63 ERA) LP: Brett Anderson (7-8, 3.52 ERA)
Houston, TX – In the debut of second baseman Chase Utley with the Los Angeles Dodgers (67-54), right hander Mike Fiers of the Houston Astros (67-56) made history at Minute Maid Park by throwing the 11th no-hitter in franchise history.
Fiers, 30, was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers on July 30, along with outfielder Carlos Gomez and cash considerations, in exchange for minor leaguers Josh Hader, Adrian Houser, Brett Phillips and former Phillies prospect Domingo Santana.
In two starts and one relief appearance as an Astro prior to tonight, totaling 17 innings, Fiers allowed nine runs, seven of which were earned, on 17 hits and six walks.
Fiers was drafted in the 22nd round of the 2009 amateur draft by Milwaukee. Over 71 appearances and 56 starts as a Brewer, the right hander posted a 21-28 record with a 3.66 ERA and a 1.238 WHIP ratio.
Utley, who was the Dodgers' designated hitter, and former Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins had the chance to break-up the no-no in the top of the ninth. Both flew out to right field, however, and combined to go 0-8 on the night with one strikeout.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| Dodgers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Astros | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 3 | 7 | 0 |
The Astros' three runs scored tonight came off of a two-run blast by right fielder Jake Marisnick in the bottom of the second inning, and a solo shot by catcher Evan Gattis in sixth.
Fiers' no-hitter is the first at Minute Maid Park, and the franchise's first since June 11, 2003 at Yankee Stadium. Former Phillies Roy Oswalt, Brad Lidge and Billy Wagner threw that afternoon for Houston.
Tonight was Fiers' first complete game of his career, and it couldn't have come at a better time.
Houston now leads the American League West by three games over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They have not made the postseason since appearing in the 2005 World Series, when they were defeated in four games against the Chicago White Sox.
Starting Pitchers
| IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brett Anderson | 6.0 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3.52 |
| Mike Fiers | 9.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 2.42 |
- Anderson: L; 85 pitches, 57 strikes; 10 groundouts, 2 flyouts; 24 faced batters
- Fiers: W; 134 pitches, 88 strikes; 8 groundouts, 3 flyouts; 30 faced batters
Out of the 'Pen
Dodgers
- Chris Hatcher (7th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR, 5.40 ERA
- Yimi Garcia (8th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 3.55 ERA
At the Plate
Dodgers
- Jimmy Rollins: 0-4, SO, .223 AVG
- Chase Utley: 0-4, .213 AVG
- Andre Ethier: 0-2, BB, .286 AVG
Astros
- Evan Gattis: 1-3, R, HR, RBI, .237 AVG
- Jake Marisnick: 2-3, R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, .233 AVG
- Jason Castro: 1-3, 2B, .211 AVG
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
