Collin McHugh pitched a masterpiece last night. Collin McHugh is 27 years old, and moved his career record to 1-8, lowering his career ERA to 7.83 in the process. Astros fans would be foolish to expect this kind of performance going forward, but that does not mean we can't enjoy his night for what it was.
McHugh's final line last was 6.2 IP, 12 K, 0 BB, 0 Runs. He gave up only 3 hits. He had a swinging strike percentage of 18%, which is currently the highest among starting pitchers in the majors, a hair ahead of Kershaw in his 6.2 innings this season.
Here is a complete list of all pitchers who have thrown 7 or fewer innings with 12 or more strikeouts, 0 walks and 0 runs.
Mike Mussina,
Yu Darvish,
Brad Penny,
Scott Kazmir,
Tim Lincecum,
Javier Vazquez,
Matt Perisho,
Nolan Ryan
Collin McHugh
That's an impressive group, with a Hall of Famer, a should be Hall of Famer, and several high peak flame throwers. Also Matt Perisho, who was mostly a reliever in his undistinguished career, but on one night in 1999 mowed down the Anaheim Angels to the tune 6 IP and 12 K.
If McHugh even approaches the career of any of the others on that list, that will be the waiver wire pickup of the ages. Likely, McHugh is more Perisho than the others. That doesn't change the fact that he had a pitching night to remember last night.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
