Top 10 Astros stories of 2013 (numbers 6 through 10)

Erik Bedard is cheered as he exits the game in the seventh inning having not allowed a hit (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

#9. Bedard exits in 7th inning with no-no intact

Another individual performance comes in at number nine on the list. Journeyman lefty Erik Bedard‘s only season in Houston was an eventful one. On July 20th, things got very interesting for Bedard.

Bedard retired the first 12 Mariners that he faced that evening — seven of them by strikeout. Kendrys Morales coaxed a walk to lead off the fifth inning, but a couple of strikeouts and a ground ball later, Bedard took a no-hitter into the sixth.

A pair of walks, a couple of passed balls by Jason Castro and a sacrifice fly allowed Seattle to plate two runs and tie the score in the sixth inning. But they still didn’t have a hit! Bedard would get Kyle Seager on a popup to start the seventh before issuing a walk to Justin Smoak. Now at 109 pitches, Bedard was obviously done. He would give way to the bullpen with the score tied and the no-hitter still alive.

Enter Jose Cisnero. Since being called up from AAA Oklahoma City, the rookie had been a shot in the arm for a beleaguered Astros bullpen. But, on this day, things wouldn’t go exactly as planned. After striking out Dustin Ackley for the second out of the inning, Cisnero walked Justin Smoak. Michael Saunders would then spoil the no-hit bid (and the day) with a long double to the base of Tal’s Hill. The Mariners’ only hit of the day would provide the margin of victory and pin the loss on Bedard.

After the game, Bedard told reporters that he had asked to be removed from the game. He explained that 110 pitches was his limit and that he would rather pitch for a couple more years than hurt himself trying to pitch a no-hitter. I too thought it was the right choice. Unfortunately (recurring theme) it just didn’t work out.