It was quite a MLB debut for the Cardinals pitcher.
Less than 15 months ago, Daniel Poncedeleon needed emergency brain surgery after being hit in the head by a line drive.
So after a life-threatening injury, it was pretty amazing the St. Louis Cardinals prospect could even return to the mound this season, let alone thrive at Triple-A Memphis.
Poncedeleon saved the truly incredible for Monday night, his MLB debut, when he tossed 7 no-hit innings before exiting for a pinch hitter. He allowed just three walks in 116 pitches.
The Cardinals bullpen blew the no-hitter (and the game), but that sure seems secondary.
« We weren’t in a situation where he would have been able to finish that game with a no-hitter, » Cardinals interim manager Mike Shildt said . « It was his time.
« I don’t know if words can describe that. It’s what’s magical about this game and what we love about this game – stories like that. »
(And because baseball is a funny game: Poncedeleon had to be optioned back to the minor leagues Tuesday to make room for the next game’s stater.)
