You really, really can't predict baseball.
As Colorado Rockies fans, we know that; our favorite squad once reeled off 21 wins in 22 games en route to a World Series appearance one season and dropped 13 of 14 to squander away a likely playoff season at the end of another.
Yeah, we're no stranger to surprises. So, the fact that we're in complete and utter shock regarding the events of July 12, 2013, should tell you how unpredictable the night truly was.
Juan Nicasio, who was demoted to Triple-A after posting a 5.31 ERA in 16 starts to begin the season, was saddled with the task of facing Clayton Kershaw, who might start the All-Star Game and is a Cy Young favorite. One of these pitchers tossed seven innings of shutout baseball and allowed just three hits.
SPOILER: It wasn't the guy you would have figured.
Nicasio was brilliant in his return to the majors, leading his club to a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. His opponent, Kershaw, was merely good; while the Dodgers' ace racked up 10 strikeouts, he allowed three earned runs -- two in the first inning -- and surrendered twice the amount of hits as the Rockies' starter.
Want more surprises? How about Charlie Blackmon, who had two hits -- including the Rockies' only one of the extra-base variety -- to raise his batting average from .229 to .256. DJ LeMahieu added three hits, drove in a run and scored another to help the Rockies overcome a tough evening from their two star players. Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki combined to go 0-for-6 with five strikeouts (CarGo whiffed four times), but it didn't matter on this night.
Sometimes the world throws stuff at you that you're not prepared for whatsoever. That happened tonight, and things may never be the same again.*
* - Things will probably be back to normal tomorrow. Don't be scared.
*****
Source: FanGraphs
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