Unbreakable trivia

[Guest iramets]

Which feat was performed by Steve Trachsel (vs NYY on 6/27/2004), Rick Reed (vs ATL on 04/11/2001) and Brian Bohanon (vs. ATL on 09/26/1997) during their Metly careers that can only be tied but can never be broken? (Other Mets may have done this, probably have, since the list is still being compiled, but these are the only three incidents so far recorded.) Does anyone remember seeing these? It must have been a thing of beauty to behold.

For those whose burning curiosity becomes too great the answer is
here. (Talcum powder may help with the burning sensation.)

[RealityChuck]

I saw the list last night before seeing the question here, so I'll pass.

[G-Fafif]

I was at that Brian Bohanon game and though it is not relevant to the question, he gave up the first home run to Rafael Belliard anybody had given up to Rafael Belliard in something like 10 years and, oh, a zillion at-bats.

[Guest ABG]

9 pitch strike out the side innings?

[Centerfield]

It's breakable.

Kind of.

[Gwreck]

I think Rey Ordonez hit a walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning in that Reed game.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

I was at that game!

[Gwreck]

Whoops, I lied. The Ordonez walk-off was the next night, the 12th. (I was there too).

So I guess the trivia isn't about light-hitting shortstops after all.

[Vic Sage]

Centerfield wrote: It's breakable. Kind of.

it can't be broken by a pitcher that starts an inning, but it can be broken by a relief pitcher who comes in with no outs and at least 1 man on base.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

It was a double down the line, yes? Won the game 1-zip or sonething.

[Gwreck]

It was a single. Down the left field line, IIRC. Won the 1-0 game.

The record certainly can be broken. Go to your mouth repeatedly on the rubber and get automatic balls called. Or balk. Put two men on, then throw one pitch for the triple play.

[Centerfield]

What I was thinking that there could be an incorrigible pitcher who goes to his mouth on the mound four consecutive times. The batter is awarded a walk even though no pitches are thrown. The next guy hits into a double play. Next guy flies out on the first pitch. 3 outs, 2 pitches.

An even incorrigibler pitcher could get away with one pitch by going to his mouth 8 times.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Wow, two posters simltneously typing away about going to their mouths.

[Guest ABG]

9 pitches for three strikeouts can't be broken, right?

[Guest Edgy DC]

Well, I guess it can if you come in the game in the middle of the first victim's at-bat.

[Guest iramets]

Couldn't you go to your mouth 12 times, and then have three successive pickoffs?

Every inning?

For your whole career?

[Centerfield]

There are two other ways (that I know of) the side can be retired without a single pitch being thrown. Name them.

[Gwreck]

You could do the 3 walks via going to the mouth, and then have each batter simply walk back to the dugout instead of the base. They'd be called out once they reach the dugout for abandoning the base.

[Guest iramets]

Gwreck wrote: You could ...have each batter simply walk back to the dugout .

By hypnotizing them?

[Centerfield]

There's another I guess. The other two don't involve a runner reaching base.

[DocTee]

Batter's interference and runner's interference. (Say there were two outs at the time--)

[Centerfield]

I think interference requires a pitch being thrown. The scenarios I had envisioned were:

1. Batter switches from one batter's box to the other when the pitcher goes into his motion. According to rule 6.06(, that batter is out. If three particularly indecisive switch hitters were to do this, causing the pitcher to abandon his delivery, the side could be retired without a pitch being thrown.

2. A batter steps into the batter's box with an altered bat pursuant to 6.06(d). Even though no pitch is thrown, according to the comment, a batter has "attempted" to use an illegal bat upon stepping into the batter's box with it. If three batters attempt this in a row, and are discovered, the side is retired without a single pitch being thrown.

[DocTee]

I think interference negates the pitch, no?

If the ball is hit into play it is considered a "dead ball" and the batter/runner called out.