BTN News: On Saturday, August 17th, Dominican starting pitchers made history with an extraordinary display on the mound, leaving a significant mark on Major League Baseball. This date will be remembered as a night when five Dominican pitchers—Luis Severino (NYM), Cristopher Sánchez (PHI), Osvaldo Bidó (OAK), Brayan Bello (BOS), and Freddy Peralta (MIL)—took charge for their respective teams, delivering performances that set a new standard for pitching excellence. These five pitchers, united by their Dominican heritage, combined for an incredible 36 innings pitched, allowing just 13 hits, including three doubles and three solo home runs, which were the only runs they surrendered in a remarkable display of control and power. The overall performance was highlighted by 27 strikeouts and only eight walks, resulting in an outstanding collective record of 5-0, with an ERA of 0.75 and a WHIP of 0.58.
The significance of this night goes beyond the individual stats and into the realm of baseball history. In a modern game where complete games have become increasingly rare, both Severino and Sánchez managed to pitch all nine innings of their respective games. This achievement marked only the 17th time in the history of Dominican pitching in the Major Leagues that two Dominican pitchers have completed games on the same day, according to baseball historian Eric José Lantigua. The first occurrence of this rare feat dates back to May 19, 1970, when Santiago Guzmán and the legendary Juan Marichal accomplished it. The most recent instance before Severino and Sánchez’s performances happened on July 6, 2016, when Johnny Cueto and Ervin Santana also went the distance without difficulty.
Luis Severino was particularly impressive, throwing a four-hit shutout, issuing only one walk, and striking out eight batters. Cristopher Sánchez, meanwhile, allowed just two hits and one earned run while not conceding any walks and fanning four batters. The dominance displayed by Severino and Sánchez not only secured victories for their teams but also added their names to a prestigious and increasingly rare list of Dominican pitchers who have completed games on the same day.
Historically, Santiago Guzmán and Juan Marichal were the pioneers of this feat, first achieving it in May 1970. However, the pitchers with the most occurrences on this elite list are Joaquín Andújar and Mario Soto, both with four appearances, and Mélido Pérez, with three. Their consistent ability to go the distance underscores the remarkable talent and endurance of Dominican pitchers in Major League Baseball.
In an era where complete games are becoming a rarity, the performances of these five Dominican pitchers on August 17th serve as a powerful reminder of the rich legacy and ongoing impact of Dominican pitching in the sport. Their combined efforts not only brought victories to their teams but also etched their names into the annals of baseball history, showcasing the exceptional skill and determination that has long been a hallmark of Dominican players in the Major Leagues. This night will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most significant in the history of Dominican pitching, a testament to the enduring power and influence of these talented athletes on the global stage of baseball.
