Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 3, 1994 TAG: 9405030080
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MILWAUKEE LENGTH: Short
The idea that it could happen again, Scott Erickson says, "is a joke."
"It's not even worth talking about," said the Minnesota Twins' right-hander, who today faces the same Milwaukee team he held hitless last week. "It's been done before, but it's dumb to even think about it."
No-hitters are always surprising. But surprise isn't a strong enough word to describe Erickson's 6-0 victory over the Brewers at the Metrodome last Wednesday.
In 1993, he led all of baseball in losses, hits allowed and runs allowed. And he entered the game with a 7.48 ERA this season. He really hadn't pitched well since midway through 1991, when he went 20-8 in his first full season.
He credits an improved slider with his improved performance - and only hopes that it returns for today's game.
"It was one of those strange feelings where I was just more comfortable with it," Erickson said. "It's one of those things where the ball just felt right. It could easily be lost or found."
Certainly, pitching back-to-back no-hitters doesn't seem like a very realistic goal for a guy who hasn't had back-to-back victories since September 1992.
"As far as I'm concerned, the game the other night is over," Erickson said. "You can't get caught up in it. I've got 31 starts left. The best time to throw that would be the last game of the season, so you don't sit there and think about it."
by CNB