Alex Cobb Falls Just Short of Pitching No-Hitter Against Reds

• MLB

It was almost a historic evening at Oracle Park on Tuesday. The whispers started early and grew louder with every inning. Alex Cobb, 35, was on the verge of entering an elite club of baseball greats. The anticipation reached a fever pitch as he stood just one out away from throwing the 18th no-hitter in Giants' storied history.

A Triumph in Every Sense

The story could have ended with the joyous news of Cobb adding his name to the list of legends, but even as he narrowly missed the mark, his performance against the Reds was a testament to his resilience and talent.

"Still right now, this is surreal," Cobb reflected after the game. "In the moment, I was just focused on the delivery and the game plan and executing pitches, and then it started to become real." The emotional weight of the occasion wasn't lost on him, especially with the presence of his family.

He continued, "Had some cool thoughts going on in my mind of having my family here and thanking them. It was special, for sure." Oracle Park echoed with chants of "Alex Cobb!" as fans showed their appreciation. His teammates and coaches enveloped him in a heartwarming display of camaraderie, once the final out was registered.

A Single Hitch in a Stellar Performance

The ninth inning was a rollercoaster of emotions. After swiftly dealing with Noelvi Marte, he allowed a walk to Nick Senzel. Then, as TJ Friedl sent another fly to right, the end seemed in sight.

But destiny had other plans. Steer landed an opposite-field hit, denying Cobb his no-hitter. "Still fun," Cobb commented, showcasing his ever-positive attitude. The game ball found its pride of place in his locker, along with other treasured keepsakes, like the ball from his first All-Star Game strikeout this year.

Despite the no-hitter eluding Cobb, it was a triumphant night for the Giants. With this 6-1 victory, they leapfrogged the D-backs into the third National League Wild Card position, pushing the Reds two games behind. The win also saw San Francisco take an edge over Cincinnati in their season's head-to-head, claiming four of their six encounters.