Weekend Wake Up: Another No-No, Big Z Blows Again, Carolina Still Game in Omaha

Jackson’s Gritty No-Hitter. So no-hitters are just going to keep happening, huh? Arizona’s Edwin Jackson threw the fourth of 2010 on Friday night, shutting down the Rays. It wasn’t the prettiest no-no—Jackson walked eight, walked the bases loaded in the third inning, and threw a MLB-high 149 pitches—but I doubt Jackson minds missing out on some style points. This is the first time a team has been no-hit twice in one season since the 2001 Padres, and the first season with four no-hitters since 1991. Also, given the alternating nature of the no-nos (Jimenez, Braden, Halladay, Jackson), it would seem a star is up next in the zero-posting queue. My money’s on Tim Lincecum.

Zambrano’s Pique. A Carlos Zambrano meltdown isn’t all that surprising; it’s more sad. But his tirade on Friday might win for vehemence: Storming up and down the dugout, incensed with his defenders for not diving at the ball, Zambrano earned every bit of his early shower and subsequent suspension and added to his reputation as a hothead first and a talented pitcher second. Good news, though: Ozzie Guillen says he could handle the fiery Zambrano.

Carolina Pride. On Thursday, facing elimination at the College World Series, South Carolina learned that Bayler Teal, a seven-year-old with cancer who the team had gotten to know, passed away—and went on to win a 12-inning thriller against Oklahoma that featured an RBI single on a full count with two outs in the final inning. On Friday, South Carolina’s story got even more storybook: Michael Roth, a reliever who had made 35 appearances and no starts this season, tossed a complete game, flummoxing Clemson with soft-tossing from his sidearm delivery and keeping the Gamecocks alive for one more game at least. What South Carolina can do for an encore is unclear, but odds are that most neutral fans in Omaha will be rooting for the garnet and black.

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