The MLB game between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers played on Thursday afternoon, which resulted in a 3-2 victory for the former, featured some really nice pieces of data and historic achievements.
For starters, there was a serious perfect game bid by Rangers’ starter Martin Perez, before some analysts and writers jinxed it (a little joke!).
Perez was perfect through his first six innings.
We also have 39-year-old Justin Verlander continuing his tour of dominance in MLB, in his first season back after 2020 Tommy John surgery.
Verlander pitched seven strong frames in which he conceded just one earned run, notching the victory.
The losing pitcher was Matt Bush, who allowed a two-run, pinch-hit homer to Kyle Tucker.
But look at this:
“Yesterday’s Astros-Rangers game was the first game in MLB history where the winning and losing pitchers were the top two draft picks in the same draft!,” Jeremy Frank of Baseball Reference tweeted.
Yesterday’s Astros-Rangers game was the first game in MLB history where the winning and losing pitchers were the top two draft picks in the same draft! https://t.co/rm7PEEW6II
— Jeremy Frank (@MLBRandomStats) April 29, 2022
The Story Of Matt Bush
Verlander was the second overall pick in the 2004 draft, while Bush was the first overall selection in the same draft.
The San Diego Padres took Bush first in 2004, when he was a shortstop.
He could never make it as a shortstop, in part because his career was full of off-the-field incidents.
Shortly after the Padres drafted him in 2004, he was arrested on suspicion of felony assault, misdemeanor trespass, disorderly conduct, and underage drinking.
He allegedly fought with a security guard trying to take him out of a bar.
He had other violent episodes in which alcohol was often involved.
He was even incarcerated at one point, and served several months in prison.
Bush then signed with the Rangers in late 2015 and has been with the organization ever since, trying to resurrect his career and his life.
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