Brewers pitcher leaves recreation with an harm whereas throwing a no-hitter in MLB debut

MILWAUKEE — Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski insisted he did not understand he had a no-hitter going when the 23-year-old flamethrower took the mound for the sixth inning of his dazzling main league debut.

“I had no clue,” Misiorowski mentioned after Milwaukee’s 6-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday night time. “I assumed one of many popups landed.”

The Brewers could not fairly full the no-no — however they could have gotten even higher information. It seems the harm that knocked the 6-foot-7 right-hander out of the sport wasn’t critical.

Misiorowski, 23, had simply thrown a 3rd straight ball to Victor Scott to open the sixth when his foot landed awkwardly on the entrance of the mound. After Brewers medical employees went out to verify on him, Misiorowski exited the sport and Nick Mears got here out of the bullpen.

The Brewers later mentioned Misiorowski left attributable to cramping in his proper calf and quadriceps.

“After all, I do not need to depart like that,” Misiorowski mentioned. “I really feel like I might have saved going, however I cramped up. Stuff occurs.”

Milwaukee supervisor Pat Murphy mentioned Misiorowski additionally could have turned an ankle.

Misiorowski indicated there is not any motive to fret.

“All good,” he replied to a postgame query about how he felt.

Till Misiorowski’s premature exit, his debut could not have gone a lot better as he showcased the elite velocity that made him one among baseball’s high pitching prospects.

“I do not suppose it was anyplace close to what I assumed,” Misiorowski mentioned. “I assumed I used to be going to surrender a number of hits, get your ‘welcome to the present’ form of expertise. I simply form of rolled with it.”

Management all the time has been the priority as Misiorowski labored his approach up the ladder within the Brewers’ farm system, and he did have 4 walks Thursday. However he additionally struck out 5 whereas lighting up the radar gun all night time.

He reached 100 mph with every of the primary three pitches he threw to Lars Nootbaar to begin the sport. Two pitches later, Nootbaar fouled off a 102.2 mph providing. In accordance with MLB.com, that 102.2 mph pitch was the quickest by any Brewers starter since pitch monitoring started in 2008.

Statcast indicated 14 of the 81 pitches Misiorowski threw — together with 11 of his first 24 — reached at the least 100 mph. In accordance with MLB.com, the one pitchers since 2008 to throw extra pitches of at the least 100 mph of their debuts have been Hunter Greene in 2022, Erik Cordier in 2014, Paul Skenes in 2024 and Mason Miller in 2023.

“We have achieved an excellent job this yr (towards) guys we’ve not confronted and guys simply arising and making their debuts, simply taking an excellent strategy,” Cardinals supervisor Oliver Marmol mentioned. “However that is a special arm, man. He did a pleasant job. The velo is actual. The extension is actual.”

Misiorowski’s velocity should not have come as a shock. Whereas pitching for the Brewers’ Triple-A Nashville affiliate final month, Misiorowski threw a 103 mph pitch, the quickest recorded by a real starter within the majors or minors since Statcast started monitoring in 2015.

In his huge league debut, Misiorowski averaged 99.1 mph on 41 four-seam fastballs. He combined in 24 sliders, 11 curveballs and two changeups, throwing 49 of 81 pitches for strikes. He acquired 13 swings and misses: seven on fastballs, 4 on sliders and one every on the curve and changeup.

“He was spectacular each approach you take a look at it,” Murphy mentioned. “I feel he was tremendous nervous earlier than the sport, and that is to be anticipated, however I feel he dealt with it actually, rather well.”

Now he should attempt to construct on this sensational debut. Misiorowski’s new teammates imagine he is as much as the problem.

“I feel he is proven that he is prepared,” left-hander Aaron Ashby mentioned. “He is asking the appropriate questions. He is doing the appropriate issues. He is getting ready himself the appropriate approach.”

Ashby allowed a leadoff single to Willson Contreras within the seventh that broke up Milwaukee’s no-hit bid, however he labored three innings to earn his third profession save. Ashby and Misiorowski each come from Crowder School in Neosho, Missouri, although they did not play there on the similar time.

The truth that Misiorowski mentioned he felt advantageous after his worrisome end ought to assist Brewers followers sleep higher earlier than his subsequent begin.

They don’t seem to be alone in that regard. Misiorowski is completely happy he will not need to cope with one other stressed night time now that his debut is out of the way in which.

“I have never slept for in all probability two days,” he mentioned. “It is going to be good to go dwelling and really sleep.”