Reds bullpen perfecto recalls that time Babe Ruth was ejected for assaulting an umpire

Credit: Darren McCollester

Credit: Darren McCollester

The Cincinnati Reds' bullpen performance Monday night in Pittsburgh was not just impressive – it was historic, too.

Jamie Ramsey of the Reds media relations staff points out that in throwing seven shutout innings against the Pirates, they became the second team in the last 100 seasons to get at least seven perfect innings from their bullpen.

That is significant to sports nerds (like me) because it brings up one of the more amazing games ever played in Major League Baseball.

On June 23, 1917, a young Red Sox pitcher named Babe Ruth (perhaps you’ve heard of him) was part of a combined no-hitter against the Washington Senators.

Ruth was only around for one batter, though, because he was ejected for arguing with and then assaulting the umpire after the first batter of the game walked.

Ernie Shore came on to relieve Ruth, and – after the man who had walked was thrown out trying to steal second – he retired all 26 batters he faced.

I guess that’s one way to get a no-hitter....

Anyway, the Red Sox won 4-0.

No one has since matched Shore’s feat, but the Cubs bullpen also set down 21 batters in a row to close a game last May.

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