Did Jose Tabata lean his elbow in to break up Max Scherzer's perfect game with 2 outs in the 9th? You decide. WATCH: http://t.co/d0BXZG3Viy
— ESPN (@espn) June 20, 2015
Who leans into a pitch when a guy is throwing a perfect game? Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Jose Tabata, that’s who. With two out in the ninth Tabata appeared to lean into Washington Nationals right hander Max Scherzer’s pitch, which effectively ruined Scherzer’s perfect game bid.
Despite the shenanigans, Scherzer still managed to pitch the second no-hitter in Nationals history. (Jordan Zimmermann threw a no hitter against the Miami Marlins last September.) Scherzer has proven to be worth the hefty investment the team made in him this past offseason. He entered Saturday’s game with a 1.81 earned run average, third lowest in the majors, along with 123 strikeouts and only fourteen walks. Scherzer improved to 8-5 on the season.
And that’s awesome, but back to the most important aspect of the game: Jose Tabata, you don’t lean into a pitch when a guy is pitching a perfect game.
Now Twitter would like to shame you.
That was absolutely ridiculous of Jose Tabata. You lean into a 2-2 pitch as the 27th out of a Perfect game??? BUSH League.
— Ryan Ruocco (@RyanRuocco) June 20, 2015
I'm not in favor of throwing at players, but I'm okay with someone throwing at Jose Tabata tomorrow.
— Dave Cameron (@OneDaveCameron) June 20, 2015
The most disappointing no-hitter in baseball history. Jose Tabata is a pansy.
— Jamie Samuelsen (@JamieSamuelsen) June 20, 2015
Jose Tabata was the kid in kindergarten who told everyone Santa isn't real.
— Matt Lindner (@mattlindner) June 20, 2015
Getting hit by a pitch might just be the greatest thing Jose Tabata has ever done in his major league career.
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) June 20, 2015
Good day, sir!
