Wade LeBlanc.
Three months ago he was released from a minor league contract. On Saturday evening he walked off the mound with two outs in the eighth inning with 44,151 at Safeco Field applauding, clapping and cheering as he approached the dugout.
LeBlanc, the 33-year-old left-hander, clapped a few times in his glove, tipped his cap and took his place among his teammates. He had retired 22 consecutive batters, faced the minimum through 7 2/3 innings and struck out nine batters.
Who is this guy? He hadn’t struck out nine since a 2011 start for the Padres.