Last weekend, the Mustachioed Menace of Milton mowed down the Minnesota Twins like Little League dandelions.
In a prudent and economical start, Dylan Cease cruised through 8 2⁄3 innings, throwing just more than 100 pitches and arriving just one out shy of a no-hitter, which was spoiled by a single from Twins first baseman Luis Arráez.
To come within spitting distance of that feat and finish just short of it might derail a season for some pitchers, spiraling them into a mental maelstrom. An ego-prone hurler might focus on their failure to complete the achievement.