Roy Halladay No-Hitter: Is 2010 the Year of the Pitcher... or What?

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Wednesday night's postseason no-hitter by Phillies ace Roy Halladay kind of gets us thinking that maybe people are right when they say that this is the year of the pitcher.  This stands as the sixth no-hitter of the year, including two perfect games.

There have even been more than just no-hitters and perfect games. There have been near no-hitters, one-hitters, complete game shutouts, things like that.  Here I am going to recognize some of the games in this season that have hinted that this year may truly be the "year of the pitcher".

April 17: Ubaldo Jimenez Throws First No-Hitter in Rockies History

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This was one of the most memorable games of the year, and it happened less than two weeks into the season.  Jimenez shut down the Braves, pitching 128 pitcher for a no-hitter.  This game also was a deciding factor in many people's opinion about Jimenez.

May 7: Jamie Moyer Makes History With a Complete Game Shutout at Age 47

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Jamie Moyer made history in May against the Atlanta Braves when he became the oldest pitcher to throw a complete game shutout.  He gave up two hits and no walks as he led the Phillies to a 7-0 win over Atlanta.

May 9: Dallas Braden Pitches First Perfect Game of the Season

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This was just the second perfect game since 2004.  Braden dominated the Rays, giving the A's a 4-0 win over Tampa.

This was what many fans thought would be the highlight of the season.  Well, fans, think again.

May 11: Cueto Is Strong As Reds Crush Pirates

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Cueto gave up just one hit as he shut down the Pirates, pitching a complete game with no runs and eight strikeouts.  His superb pitching led to a 9-0 win over Pittsburgh.

May 28: Matt Cain Downs D-Backs With a Complete Game Shutout

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This was not a no-hitter or a perfect game, but it was still a great feat.  Cain pitched the whole game, finishing with with nine strikeouts.  He gave up just one hit and no walks while leading the Giants to a 4-0 victory over Arizona.

May 29: Roy Halladay Pitches Second Perfect Game of the Season

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As I said, fans, think again.  Halladay pitched eleven strikeouts for the second perfect game of the season and the second in Phillies history, the first being by Jim Bunning in 1964.  The game might have had to go into extra innings if it hadn't have been for a Marlins error that let in the only run of the game.

June 2: Gallaraga Loses Perfecto On Close Call at First

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There was much tension on the field as Armando Galarraga went into his windup, just one out away from securing the third perfect game of the season.  He pitched the ball.  The batter swung and hit a ground ball in-between second and third base.  Tiger first baseman Miguel Cabrera ran to the side and fielded it cleanly.  He threw the ball to Galarraga for the final out.  Galarraga stepped on the base before the runner did and the crowd erupted into cheers.  But instead of calling the runner out and giving Galarraga the perfect game, umpire Jim Joyce made called the runner safe.

This would have been the third perfect game of the MLB season, something that has never happened before.  Everyone thought that Joyce had blown the call.  But after careful review, there is still a debate about whether Galarraga had bobbled the ball as he stepped on the bag.

Anyway, no matter what it should have been, the call stands, and Galarraga ended up with a one-hit shutout.  After many apologies, this instance has been regarded as one of the greatest shows of sportsmanship in the history of baseball.

June 25: Edwin Jackson Gets a No-No for Arizona

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On this day Jackson completed the fourth no-hitter of the year.  He gave up eight walks, but his team ended up winning 1-0, the only run being off an Adam LaRoche home run in the second inning.

July 26: Matt Garza Throws Fifth No-Hitter of the Year

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With this masterpiece, Matt Garza got the fifth no-hitter of the year.  He had just one walk and six strikeouts as the Rays took a 5-0 win over Detroit.

July 29: Anibal Sanchez Shuts Down Giants' Strong Offense

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This was one of the many complete game shutouts of the season.  Sanchez pitched a complete game, being just one hit away from a no-hitter.  He had eight strikeouts as the Marlins took the game 5-0.

August 8: Brandon Morrow Stuns Rays With 17 Ks

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Brandon Morrow threw the most strikeouts in the MLB season with 17 against Tampa.  He pitched the whole game, giving up just one hit and two walks.  He shutout the Rays, giving Toronto the 1-0 win.

What Do You Say? Is This The Year Of The Pitcher Or Not?

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Well, I have given you all of the facts.  That's all there is to it.  It's all up to you now to say if this truly is the year of the pitcher.

But if you want my opinion, I believe that with all of this dominance from the mound this season, it is probably safe to say that this really is the year of the pitcher.  I mean, seriously? You've got two perfect games, six no-hitters, the second postseason no-hitter in MLB history, and 47-year-olds tossing out complete game shutouts?  And you don't call that the year of the pitcher?