Mike Foltynewicz was brilliant on Friday night in Oakland, and he almost did something that no Braves pitcher has done since Kent Mercker in 1994.
After eight no-hit innings, Matt Olson stepped to the plate to lead off the bottom of the 9th. Foltynewicz fell behind 2-0 before eventually equaling the count at 2-2. An inside fastball was off the plate but had a chance to be called strike three — home plate umpire Cory Blaser did not oblige. Two pitches later, on pitch No. 119 of the night, a fastball right down broadway was hit into the right field seats.