Former Brewer High School and University of Maine pitcher Matt Pushard accomplished the rare feat of striking out four hitters in an inning for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos against the Montgomery Biscuits in the Class AA Southern League last Friday night.
It was just the fifth time in the franchise’s 12-year history that it has occurred.
It is rare in Major League Baseball.
According to the Baseball Almanac, it has happened only 102 times in the history of MLB dating back to 1876.
Ed Crane of the New York Gothams was the first to accomplish the feat in 1888.
“It was pretty cool. It was a surreal moment. I have never done that before,” said Pushard who added that it’s nice to be included in a little part of Wahoos history.
Pushard struck out all four hitters swinging.
Heriberto Hernandez was the first victim as Pushard threw a fastball by him.
Dominic Keegan chased a slider before Brayden Taylor swung and missed a fastball but wound up reaching first when the ball ticked off the top of catcher Joe Mack’s glove and went to the backstop.
“I thought (Taylor) got a piece of it,” said Pushard.
Pushard capped his four-strikeout inning with a slider that Mason Auer waved at.
“I felt real good that night. I think I threw 21 strikes among 24 pitches,” said Pushard.
He said another neat aspect of it was that his teammate, Zach McCambley, had accomplished the feat in June.
The 26-year-old Pushard has had an impressive season with the Miami Marlins’ AA affiliate. He is currently sporting a 3-2 record and a 2.57 earned-run average over 32 appearances, all in relief.
In 42 innings, he has struck out 47 and walked 18. Opponents are hitting just .186 against him.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound righthander has allowed 29 hits of which five have been homers.
He has 11 holds and one save in four save opportunities.
He had a sparkling 1.03 ERA for the first three months of the season but struggled in July, posting a 5.91 ERA.
“It was a rough July but I’m slowly coming back,” said Pushard.
He has a 3.00 ERA this month and has struck out eight in six innings of work.
There are four weeks left in the Wahoos season and Pushard said he would love to get promoted to the AAA Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
But he isn’t going to think about it.
“I’m just taking things day by day,” said Pushard, who knows he will get his opportunity in AAA if he pitches well.
