Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller has been lights out on the mound through the first one-third of the 2013 Major League Baseball season. In fact, the right-hander was so dominant during a single outing in May that he was awarded the Pitching Performance of the Month for his start on May 10 against the Colorado Rockies.
Miller tossed the greatest performance of his young career that night. He struck out a career-high 13 batters while allowing just one hit in nine scoreless innings. It was the first time he had gone the distance, and I have to imagine it will not be the last time he is that close to pitching a perfect game. The worst part about the contest was that the sole hit happed against the leadoff hitter, courtesy of Eric Young.
“This was definitely the best game I’ve ever thrown,” Miller said after the game, according to Cardinals.com. “This was a start I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Instead of taking all of the credit for his outstanding pitching display, Miller decided to bring up the name of one person that helped him create a near perfect moment.
“I say it time and time again, what Yadi (Yadier Molina) calls, I throw,” Miller said after the 3-0 win, according to Cardinals.com. “He was calling the right thing all night. He’s done a terrific job all year and he’s helping me out tremendously. I’m happy he’s my catcher, that’s for sure.”
Miller won 51 percent of the vote on MLB.com as he beat out three other starters who tossed one-hit games for the honor.
The 22-year-old is 7-3 with 81 strikeouts in 12 starts this season. Not to mention, his 1.91 earned run average leads all starting pitchers in the National League.
