Minnesota Twins pitcher Kenta Maeda (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
Kenta Maeda came oh so close to history, and we have Eric Sogard to blame
Maeda could’ve become just the third Japanese pitcher to throw a no-hitter, joining Hideo Nomo and Hisashi Iwakuma. Instead, not only was his chance at history stolen from him, but his no-hitter turned into a no-decision.
The Twins hurler, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason, was only three outs away against a Brewers lineup he’d struck out 12 times so far that night. Eric Sogard’s soft single gave Milwaukee its first crooked number on the scoreboard, and that was just the beginning.
Maeda took the moment in stride, and even tipped his cap to an empty Target Stadium on the way out of the game, making room for some Brewers theatrics.
Maeda was removed, and the Twins bullpen ruined the night
Left-hander Taylor Rogers entered the game for Maeda, and very quickly put what looked like a sure Twins result in question. Rogers gave up a double to Avisail Garcia and then walked Christian Yelich to load the bases. After a single by Keston Hiura, the Brewers were able to tie the game thanks to a throwing error by Ildemaro Vargas.
This game is valuable to both teams, with the Twins just one game up on the rival Cleveland Indians in the AL Central. The Brewers, meanwhile, are 3.5 games behind the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs.