Tuesday was a history-making day for Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tyler Mahle. That was both the good news and bad news.
Mahle was outstanding against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He went nine shutout innings, allowed only three hits, walked nobody and struck out 12 hitters. Unfortunately, he got no run support in those nine innings and was taken out after nine innings with the score tied 0-0. Cincinnati did manage a run in the top of the 10th inning and had the Reds held that lead, Mahle would have earned the victory. But the Diamondbacks tied things up, sending the game to the 11th.
With that, Mahle got a no-decision that is literally unprecedented in the modern Major League Baseball.
Tyler Mahle of the @Reds is the only MLB pitcher in the modern era to throw 9.0+ shutout innings with 12+ strikeouts and no walks on the road and yet not get the win.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) June 15, 2022
The lack of run support in a fanstastic performance is something the Reds have familiarity with this season. That was one of several points made in regards regarding Mahle’s no decision.
We have pitchers throw no-hitters and not get the win, so can’t say I’m surprised. https://t.co/0LSCH24Lid
— Ryan Soel (@rsoel19) June 15, 2022
Tyler can’t catch a break https://t.co/gQyz96wGKC
— Tanner Clifton (@tanner_clifton) June 15, 2022
Reds continue to peak https://t.co/EunvBTusft
— Thomas Mims (@ThomasAMims) June 15, 2022
https://t.co/trTHKgt9o7 pic.twitter.com/nyexn3PVzl
— nocturnalnati (@nocturnalnati) June 15, 2022
Reds making history again! https://t.co/qAQ7rSoAZG
— Gavin Downard (@GavinDownard) June 15, 2022
It is unacceptable we keep making our pitchers appear in these wonky stats #Reds https://t.co/SXP0fDL0Xx
— Jake Johnson (@Jake2J1Buckeye) June 15, 2022
While Mahle didn’t earn a win, MLB fans were effusive in their praise of the Cincinnati starter, while also wondering about the possibility of a trade to a contender.
Tyler Mahle away from GABP pic.twitter.com/slVi3SH04i
— Claiborne Snowden (@Clay_sno) June 15, 2022
Tyler Mahle is pitching like someone who really wants a spot in a postseason rotation.
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger) June 15, 2022
If I’m tyler Mahle I want out of Cincinnati because he deserves better.
— Dillon Smith (@DillonRSmith21) June 15, 2022
Tyler Mahle is going to trade himself if the Reds don’t score and win
Regardless, what an incredible performance.. just incredible
— Optimistic Reds (@CincyRedsNation) June 15, 2022
While the win as a stat for pitchers has largely been devalued by baseball fans and people who cover the game, it is still meaningful to most pitchers. So, from that perspective, it’s unfortuntae that the Reds couldn’t give Mahle any support in this one.
On the other hand, while he came away with a no-decision, Mahle also knows that he couldn’t have pitched any better than he did. And even if he didn’t get the win in the game, contending teams around Major League Baseball no doubt took notice of his gem.
