In an era where complete games are becoming increasingly rare, Chris Nabholz and Mark Guthrie turned back the clock in a pitching duel for the ages. Both starters went deep into the game, combining for over 19 innings of work in a tense battle that saw the Pittsburgh Pirates edge out the Kansas City Royals 2-1 in 12 innings.
Nabholz Goes the Distance for Pittsburgh
Chris Nabholz, the Pirates’ left-hander, delivered an extraordinary 10-inning performance, allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out eight. Despite throwing a staggering 147 pitches, Nabholz maintained his composure, keeping the Royals’ offense at bay and giving his team a chance to win.
He was tested early, allowing baserunners in multiple innings, but repeatedly worked his way out of trouble. A third-inning double by Orlando Merced put runners in scoring position, but Nabholz induced a key groundout to escape unscathed. His lone blemish came in the fourth when Jeff Frye doubled and later scored, but after that, Nabholz locked in, recording key strikeouts and forcing Kansas City into double plays.
“I just wanted to give us a chance,” Nabholz said after the game. “It’s not often you get the opportunity to pitch into extra innings, but I felt good, and the team trusted me to keep going.”
Guthrie Matches the Effort for Kansas City
While Nabholz dazzled, Mark Guthrie was just as impressive for Kansas City. The veteran right-hander pitched 9.1 innings, surrendering only four hits while striking out nine. He was efficient with his pitch count, throwing 141 pitches before handing the game over to the bullpen in the 10th.
Guthrie’s only mistake came in the ninth inning when Lance Blankenship launched a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1, forcing extra innings. Before that, he had shut down the Pirates’ lineup, striking out 11 batters and allowing minimal contact.
Despite his brilliant outing, Guthrie left the game with a no-decision, as the Pirates pushed across the winning run in the 12th inning against the Royals’ bullpen.
Harvey Closes the Door on a Historic Night
After Nabholz’s 10-inning effort, the Pirates’ bullpen took over, with Greg Hoffman pitching a scoreless 11th before Bryan Harvey came in to secure the 12th. Harvey’s save was historic, marking the 300th of his career. With the milestone in sight, he struck out two Royals and sealed the win for Pittsburgh.
“It’s a good milestone—it doesn’t happen very often,” Harvey said. “I was out there when my teammates needed me 300 times, and I’m real proud of that.”
A Rare Sight in Modern Baseball
The duel between Nabholz and Guthrie was a reminder of an era when pitchers regularly worked deep into games. While complete games are still uncommon, seeing two pitchers go beyond nine innings in the same game is nearly unheard of in today’s game. Both pitchers showed remarkable endurance and resilience, with Nabholz earning the win and Guthrie taking the hard-luck no-decision.
With their performances, Nabholz and Guthrie delivered a game that will be remembered for years to come, showcasing the beauty of a well-pitched duel in an era increasingly dominated by bullpen reliance.