St. Louis Cardinals pitcher who had brain surgery after being hit in head tosses 7 no-hit innings in MLB debut
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon (62) throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a baseball game. (AP)
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon was 14 months removed from suffering a life-threatening injury when he stepped on the mound in Cincinnati for his first major start -- and tossed seven no-hit innings.
Monday night was Poncedeleon’s MLB debut and his lengthy rehab culminated in a magnificent performance.
Even though he didn't earn the win. And the Cardinals didn't either.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon, right, gets a hug in the dugout by Jack Flaherty, left, following seven no-hit innings against the Cincinnati Reds in a baseball game. (AP)
Poncedeleon, 26, was struck in the right temple by a line drive on May 9, 2017 while pitching for Triple-A Memphis. He suffered a fractured skull, which caused bleeding in the brain and required emergency surgery. A slow recovery followed.
The righty made his first start this season with the Triple-A squad on April 5 and quickly worked his way back to form. In 18 minor league games, Poncedeleon posted a 2.15 ERA with 103 strikeouts. Opponents were only batting .198 against him in the Pacific Coast League.
Monday, he finally got a taste of the major leagues and was able to get the Reds’ first batter, Jose Peraza, to lineout to right field.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“I don't know if words can describe that,” interim Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. “It's what's magical about this game and what we love about this game — stories like that.”
Poncedeleon was battling a sore neck heading into his debut and once he threw pitch 116, Shildt had no qualms about taking him out early.
“We weren't in a situation where he would have been able to finish that game with a no-hitter,” Shildt said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Cardinals had a one-run lead when Poncedeleon left. However, the Reds made a charge in the bottom of the ninth against Cardinals closer Bud Norris, winning the game, 2-1.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.