Compton ace Shane Bieber has joined PGBL Hall of Famer Greg Maddux as the only pitchers in league history with multiple no-hitters.
Bieber finished off his second no-no of the 2021 season by striking out the final three batters to complete a 1-0 road victory over Oakland. He finished with 12 Ks while walking four with no margin for error as a Paul Goldschmidt homer provided his only support.
Bieber posted the 22nd no-hitter on record and third of the season, just one day shy of four months since his 3-0 gem at Louisville. He improved to 12-10 with a 2.94 ERA and 292 strikeouts – four behind league leader Jacob deGrom of Dublin.
Maddux recorded three no-hitters, including the first two in PGBL history, less than a month apart in the league’s inaugural season.
Playoff picture
With about three weeks left in the regular season, six teams remain in realistic contention for the four North League playoff berths while the South League field seems set.
Confederate Division leader Dublin (95-48) has won seven straight and punched its playoff ticket, while Twin City (79-62) has a nine-game lead in the Cactus Division with a magic number at 13.
St. Louis (89-51) is 4½ games behind the Guinness, but seven up on Memphis (82-58) in position for the top wild card. The Melee hold a 12½-game cushion to secure the final SL berth.
Toronto (94-47) is also on a seven-game win streak and are on the verge of clinching a playoff berth, holding a 16-game lead in the Maple Leaf Division. Vancouver (78-63) and London (77-63) are currently in the wild card positions, but three Norris Division contenders could still enter the mix.
Brooklyn (75-65) and Pittsburgh (75-66) have alternated stints as division leaders in recent days, while Chicago (73-69) has won 8 of 10 to climb within three games of first place and 4½ games of the No. 4 spot.