Alex Cobb fell just short of his first career no-hitter in the Giants' 6-1 win Tuesday over the Cincinnati Reds -- but his teammate Austin Slater did all he could to help preserve the feat.
With two outs in the top of the eighth inning and San Francisco leading 5-0, Reds outfielder Will Benson hit a short fly ball to shallow left-center field. Slater put his body on the line to keep Cobb's no-hitter intact, laying out to take a single away from Benson in front of a roaring Oracle Park crowd (and after an unsuccessful challenge by Cincinnati).
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It was a moment Giants fans won't soon forget despite Spencer Steer's spoiler of a double off Cobb with two outs in the ninth, especially since it was reminiscent of another famous catch that preserved a tremendous pitching feat.
Immediately, social media was abuzz with comparisons to Gregor Blanco's incredible catch that saved Matt Cain's perfect game for the Giants in 2012.
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Shades of Blanco indeed.
The 2012 Giants, of course, went on to win that year's World Series. And in the midst of a playoff push, Cobb, Slater and Co. certainly have their eye on a similar outcome this season even though the pitcher's no-hit bid fell just short.
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