Mercker No-Hits Dodgers: So What?

The report of the overpowering pitching performance by Kent Mercker overlooked the fact that the Dodgers were fielding a non-batting team. Five members of that Friday night lineup had not had a hit all season, and two more batters were below the Mendoza Line.

Kent pitched an excellent game, but he wasn’t overpowering. You don’t pitch a no-hitter with a fastball under 90 m.p.h. unless you’re facing a wimp of a team. The Dodgers were lucky to get a hit all weekend.

ROBERT H. LOWE

Los Angeles

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I attended the Kent Mercker no-hitter and watched in amazement the stream of departures, starting in the seventh inning.

But the worst was the gentleman who was walking up Aisle 136 in the bottom of the eighth inning. In response to my friend asking why he would want to leave a no-hitter early, he said, “Who wants to see a no-hitter?” Enough said.

DUANE HAMMER

Compton