That day, May 15, was one of them. Barker, who was 25 at the time, was tall 6'4 and had consistent mid-90s gas, which was fairly rare in baseball in those days. Some teammates called him Large Lenny.. 43, May 15, 1981. He spent his first 8 years of his 13-year Major League career with the Indians (1975-83), where he won the Gold Glove in 1976. It was Barker who threw a perfect game on May 15, 1981. He also handled Len Barkers perfect game in 1981. who claim to have attended Len Barkers perfect game of 1981. I would have preferred Jalen Suggs, but Mobley is OK, The pain became too much for Terry Francona, The Tribe faces reality with the trade of Cesar Hernandez, What Im hearing about the Guardians trademark status. Barker's most notable accomplishment occurred on May 15, 1981 as a member of the Cleveland Indians. And (catcher) Ron Hassey called a great game. Barker pitched with the Texas Rangers (197678), Cleveland Indians (197983), Atlanta Braves (198385) and Milwaukee Brewers (1987). Scores. Barker's perfect game is the most recent no-hitter thrown by a Cleveland pitcher. His elbow also was starting to bother him. This article was published in SABRs No-Hitters (2017), edited by Bill Nowlin. When he didnt have it, however, he might throw the ball over the backstop. On May 15, 1981, Manning caught Ernie Whitt's fly ball, the final out of Len Barker's perfect game, in one of the most memorable images in Cleveland sports history; the Indians defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Blyleven lost a no-hitter in the ninth inning earlier in the 1981 season. Guerrero is on the Dominican Republic roster for this months World Baseball Classic. Underwood uses clips of the city, the stadium (seen often as a cavernous expanse of empty seats) and smart interviews. The final out of the game was a flyout caught by Rick Manning in short center field. Len Barker's perfect game on May 15, 1981, is the last no-hitter by anyone in a Cleveland uniform. Cleveland hasnt had a no-hitter since Len Barker threw a perfect game against Toronto on May 15, 1981. DETROIT (AP) Harold Castro of the Detroit Tigers knocked a clean single to right field to end a perfect game bid by Clevelands Triston McKenzie with two outs in the eighth inning Sunday. Still, the night made him a legend here. The 24-year-old McKenzie then It was the 11th perfect game in Major League Baseball history. 1 ago. If you have to lose Im glad to lose to a guy who pitched a perfect game to beat me, said Toronto starter Luis Leal. Find great deals on eBay for len barker perfect game. R&J Promotions asked me to do a signed and numbered print honoring Cleveland Indians Len Barker and his perfect game. Bo Diaz would be the only other Indian on the team. Then Detroits Harold Castro lined a single with two outs in the eighth. He struck out 11 batters all swinging between the fourth and the ninth and didnt go to a single three-ball count. Meanwhile, Indians public-relations man Bob DiBiasio had his own challenges. Ron Hassey, Barker's catcher, would catch Dennis Martnez's perfect game in 1991, thus becoming the only catcher, to date, to catch two perfect games. The next year, Barker's ERA ballooned to 6.35, and he only managed a 29 record. Find Cleveland Indians Len Barker stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. His magic moment with the Indians, however, came on an otherwise routine play. That was a bit deceptive, however, as his ERA was an unremarkable 4.17 (99 ERA+) and he had also led the league in wild pitches. Moseby was credited with a double. His defense continued to help him as well. The event was notable on two accounts: It was the first game played after a lengthy players' strike and gave Barker the opportunity to pitch two scoreless innings before 72,086 fans in his home stadium. Years later many more Tribe fans would swear they were there. Cleveland hasnt had a no-hitter since Len Barker threw a perfect game against Toronto on May 15, 1981. He is the most down-to-earth guy youd meet.. Time of game: two hours, nine minutes. In 1981 when Len Barker pitched a perfect game for Cleveland, Duane Kuiper was the second baseman. [1] The Indians defeated the Blue Jays 3-0, as Barker did not allow a baserunner. 9 Terry Pluto, Barkers Night, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 16, 1981: 6-C. 13 Associated Press, Son Makes History, but Mrs. Barker Loses Game in 9th, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 17, 1981: 8-B. A perfect game for Lenny Barker! If those lack of strikeouts was because of something lacking in his fastball that night, Barker and his catcher Ron Hassey figured it out by the fourth inning. Barker never once reached ball three against any Blue Jay hitter. He pitched the tenth perfect game in baseball history. Cleveland hasnt had a no-hitter since Len Barker threw a perfect game on May 15, 1981. When you have a no-hitter going, guys stop sitting by you, said Barker. I could throw anything, anywhere I wanted. Third Baseman Toby Harrah dove into the stands to catch a Willie Upshaw foul pop in the fifth. Robert E. Dorksen, The Plain Dealer. The Indians havent completed a no-hitter since Len Barkers [] Wish You Were Here Productions and The Don Larsen Foundation held a "Perfect Evening" supporting The Don Larsen Foundation and celebrating the 50th anniversary of Don's legendary World Series Perfect Game. Len Barker seals a perfect game Blue Jays @ Guardians May 15, 1981 | 00:07:10 Reels Share 5/15/1981: Len Barker gets the final three outs of his perfect game for the Indians against the Blue Jays More From This Game Cleveland Guardians Len Barker Epic Innings classic Len Barker had just thrown the 10th perfect game in major-league history. Tait was made the team's Vice President of Broadcast Services in 1987. TOM HAMILTON, the Voice of the Guardians, will enter his 31st season of calling Cleveland Guardians baseball games on the radio in 2020. The miserable weather forced Elwell to leave his home and find a spot where he could clearly listen to the ballgame. Said his 92-year-old grandmother after his perfect game, "I'm very proud of him. Nick Chubbs contract extension: Browns fans gotta love it! FOD Saying of the Day. The cold early season weather and having a lot of extra rest between starts was definitely helping him out. Here is a look at the only 23 men who have been perfect from the first batter until the last: Flix Hernndez (Mariners) Aug. 15, 2012 vs. Rays All hail the King. He was overpowering in 1980 when he had a 19-12 record with a 4.17 ERA. He struck out 11 Blue Jays hitters (all of them swinging) including seven of the last 11 batters. 1981 9/26 Dodgers at Astros 7.5/10 RYAN 5th NO HITTER. Leonard Harold Barker III (born July 7, 1955)[1] is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. That's when Indians starter Len Barker tossed a perfect game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Municipal Stadium. This was a lot different than Lennys, Hassey said. I think I missed about five games that season. The season began with sports fans' memories fresh from the Browns' divisional playoff game in January that made the play 'Red Right 88' infamous in Cleveland. Least of all could Indians starting pitcher Len Barker. Register now to join us on March 10-12, 2023, in Phoenix, AZ. During the 1983 season, Barker was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Brett Butler, Brook Jacoby, Rick Behenna and $150,000 cash. "[5] The Indians have the longest active no-hitter drought in MLB. Duncans prediction proved prophetic; Barker never went to a three-ball count on any batter. The Tribe also had Andre Thornton, Tom Veryzer, Ron Hassey and Jerry Dybzinski, a homegrown product from Cleveland State and Collinwood High School. Emmanuel Clase worked a perfect ninth for his eighth save in 10 chances. Which two teams had never been involved in a no-hitter? Certainly not the Cleveland Plain Dealer. This material may not On May 15, 1981, Len Barker of the Cleveland Indians threw a perfect game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Cleveland Stadium, the tenth perfect game in Major League Baseball history. [5] "I run into people almost every day who want to talk about it", Barker said in 2006. A few of the sets still may have been old black and white. foretees login broken sound; len barker perfect game announcers. He had a form of the early Tommy John elbow reconstruction. Unless someone can throw one in the next nine days, the no-no-hit streak will reach a full 40 . He also had nicknames. On May 15, 1981, even as the baseball world prepared for a strike that would tear apart the season and the game, Cleveland Indians starter Len Barker made everybody happy for a day. At the time, Barker's accomplishment drew . Hassey, who also caught Len Barkers perfect game of May 15, 1981, became the first major-league catcher to handle two of them. Kuiper was one of his favorite players, and in a tribute video put out by the team, there are two clips: Tait calling the end of Len Barker's perfect game, and his call of Kuiper's homer. It was the last no-hitter in the stadiums history.). There's great footage of the Strat-O-Matic game held in the stadium - a creative response to the strike but a move not seen as favorable by league officials. @indians (Bruce Drennan in dugout by then.) The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. My stomach was a wreck, he told Sports Illustrated. I dont have a funny bone in my right arm, he said. He is now in his 11th year as head baseball coach at Notre Dame College in South Euclid. Catfish Hunter had been the last to record a perfect game, on May 8, 1968, against Minnesota. Heres the SportsTime Ohio schedule for 1981 Revealed (subject to change, with more dates in the works): If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Barker's perfect outing, one of only twenty-three in the history of Major League Baseball, is also the most recent no-hitter thrown by an Indians pitcher. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. On Friday, May 15, 1981, Len Barker of the Cleveland Indians threw a perfect game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Cleveland Stadium, the 10th perfect game in Major League Baseball history. DUNEDIN., Fla. Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left the spring training game against Tampa Bay with right knee discomfort. That cloud hung over the ever-changing city, still defined then by its rust-belt image. 9 TSN broadcast of the perfect game, accessed via YouTube.com. Barker would later admit that while he was cruising in innings one through eight, he began to feel the pressure in the ninth. - Herb Score's call of Barker's perfect game The Cleveland Indians recorded the last no-hitter and perfect game in team history on May 15, 1981. It's a special thing."[6]. I was with my wife Roberta at a banquet downtown in the old Stouffers Hotel on Public Square. The Barker family currently resides in Geauga County east of Cleveland. Rick has the longest tenure of Joe Tait called Len Baker's perfect game in 1981. Hernndez was the third pitcher to throw a perfect game that season but still stands as the last man to complete the feat. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). This article related to sports in Ohio is a stub. Elwell ended up at a golf course, hunched over the front seat of the car, listening to the remainder of the game. Original Len Barker Perfect Game FULL TICKET 5/15 1981 Cleveland Indians Unused See original listing Condition: -- Ended: Feb 11, 2023 , 2:51PM Price: US $499.99 Best offer accepted Shipping: $9.85 Expedited Shipping Located in: Niles, Ohio, United States Seller: ( 20416 ) | Seller's other items Sell one like this Related sponsored items He kept pitching through the pain. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Much has been made of the fact that paid . Its breaking quick and hard. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. His Cleveland Indians. Baltimore Orioles pitcher Tanner Scott played for Barker at Notre Dame. Cleveland hasnt had a no-hitter since Len Barker threw a perfect game against Toronto on May 15, 1981. How about a new outfielder? The battery mate for Barker that evening was Ron Hassey, who went on to catch another perfect game later in his career with pitcher, Dennis Martinez, in 1991. But I wondered, Would this guy have a big league attitude? It was just the opposite. Thank you, Joe, for the decades of joy you have brought Cleveland sports fans, the Indians said in a posting. Finally another pinch hitter, Ernie Whitt, lofted a fly ball to center that Rick Manning caught for the final out. Contact SABR, LnRiLWZpZWxke21hcmdpbi1ib3R0b206MC43NmVtfS50Yi1maWVsZC0tbGVmdHt0ZXh0LWFsaWduOmxlZnR9LnRiLWZpZWxkLS1jZW50ZXJ7dGV4dC1hbGlnbjpjZW50ZXJ9LnRiLWZpZWxkLS1yaWdodHt0ZXh0LWFsaWduOnJpZ2h0fS50Yi1maWVsZF9fc2t5cGVfcHJldmlld3twYWRkaW5nOjEwcHggMjBweDtib3JkZXItcmFkaXVzOjNweDtjb2xvcjojZmZmO2JhY2tncm91bmQ6IzAwYWZlZTtkaXNwbGF5OmlubGluZS1ibG9ja311bC5nbGlkZV9fc2xpZGVze21hcmdpbjowfQ==, LnRiLWhlYWRpbmcuaGFzLWJhY2tncm91bmR7cGFkZGluZzowfQ==, 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, https://sabr.org/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202018-10-18%20at%2012.25.04%20PM.png, /wp-content/uploads/2020/02/sabr_logo.png, May 15, 1981: Clevelands Len Barker makes history with perfect game against Blue Jays. It was Barker who threw a perfect game on May 15, 1981. He also handled Len Barkers perfect game in 1981. Indians announcer Matt Underwood produces Addie Joss documentary (video), Indians exec recalls citys moments in Split Season 1981. Bert Blyleven won 11 games and John Denny 10. His fastball was sizzling in the 95 mph range. The first was thrown by Addie Joss on October 2, 1908, against Chicago. Barker's most notable accomplishment occurred on May 15, 1981, as a member of the Cleveland Indians. Baseball in Cleveland in the 1980s was a pretty dreary affair. Len Barker. [4] "I run into people almost every day who want to talk about it," Barker said in 2006. He lays out the delayed All-Star Game played in Cleveland that year, and describes one of the greatest games in Indians history. The game was a contrast of teams. (Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) Best-selling Len Barker products on sale for a limited. He signed with the Montreal Expos a few weeks later and spent the season with their top affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians. CLEVELAND, Ohio A week ago, Tribe pitcher Triston McKenzie was perfect. Barker is one of the few pitchers in baseball history who can speak with authority about that. My big pitch was my curveball. The Indians defeated the Blue Jays 3-0, as Barker did not allow a baserunner. broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I had a giant spur in the ligament. He last pitched in the majors for the Brewers in 1987. He pitched the tenth perfect game in baseball history. After the seven-week players' strike, Barker went on to make the All-Star team for the only time in his career and he again led the AL in strikeouts, although his 3.91 ERA amounted to just a 94 ERA+. Barker throwing a no-hitter wasnt a huge surprise. Which he had actually done once in Boston in 1978. Leonard Harold Barker III (born July 7, 1955) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. Len Barker. Arguably the clubs greatest highlight of the entire decade took place on this day in 1981. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1982 Fleer Len Barker/Bo Diaz Perfect Game #639 Cleveland Guardians at the best online prices at eBay! But a perfect game? Indians play-by-play announcer Matt Underwood captures the season in his hourlong documentary, "1981 Revealed," which airs periodically on SportsTime Ohio. Overall his 1982 season was probably his best, when he went 15-11 with a 3.90 ERA (106 ERA+). Dennis Manoloff (@dmansworld474) March 10, 2021 on SportsTime Ohio! Get down to the stadium.. The bow was placed on a tillering wall and the bow slowly drawn only a few inches at a time. Barker struck out 11 Blue Jays in the 3-0 win. But Barker had help from his friends. He was the voice of Mount Union football for more than 30 years, and as any Indians fan can tell you, was also behind the mic for Len Barkers perfect game in 1981. I mean the ball was breaking so much Toronto kept asking to see the ball.10, The Blue Jays were accepting and complimentary in defeat. Len Barker knows time tells no lies. Barker pitched reasonably well down the stretch, notching a 3.82 ERA despite only going 13 in his six starts after the trade. He and his wife Eva are the parents of Jared, Blake, and Jacob. Manning went to third on the play and scored on Andre Thorntons sacrifice fly. Lenny didnt want to come to the park, said his wife, Bonnie. The front of Len Barker's 1981 Topps card. Blyleven struck out nine in the win. I had been coaching my kids over the years and helped some in high school. He was placing it right where I aimed it. It was the first Indians no-hitter since Dennis Eckersley blanked California on May 30, 1977. This was like the next step.. Ironically, 1981 was not his best season in the big leagues. 10-3-81 Minnesota at White Sox (Sox win on walk off walk) WGN-TV broadcast (It has become an old wives tale, in a Im happy to say I was not one of the 72,290(!) I work for a great school and this is a great place to live., Former Indians pitcher Len Barker keeps an close eye on his pitchers at Notre Dame College.The Plain Dealer, The storied career of Dick Schafrath includes wrestling a bear, Browns scribbles after first preseason game, Terrys Talkin Browns: Stefanski calling plays, Joe Schobert traded, Browns Training Camp Scribbles: Jadeveon Clowney, Donovan Peoples-Jones. As Barker took the mound, his nerves were understandably getting the best of him. [1] The Indians defeated the Blue Jays 30, as Barker did not allow a baserunner. On May 15, 1981, Manning caught Ernie Whitts fly ball, the final out of Len Barkers perfect game, in one of the most memorable images in Cleveland sports history; the In 1981 when Len Barker pitched a perfect game for Cleveland, Duane Kuiper was the second baseman. That game was played on a soggy spring night, temperature at 47 degrees for the first pitch and into the high 30s for the games final three outs. The Indians defeated the Blue Jays 30, as Barker did not allow a baserunner. Barker was a rental in 1983, poised to hit free agency, but the Braves signed him to a $4 million contract before the 1984 season. Date: Jul 28, 2011. UPDATED: 9:19 a.m. Monday, Aug. 26, to add upcoming air dates. My curve was the best pitch that night, he recalled. I say, 'No, it's something to be proud of.' Shortstop Tom Veryzer charged, gloved, and threw to nip him at first base. Barker never made excuses. I knew Len was a big league pitcher. I thought we had him in the ninth, Toronto pitcher Mark Bomback would later say. He has been head coach since 2012.The Plain Dealer. At the conclusion of the documentary, he sounds like a fan. Len Barker tossed the last no-hitter for the Indians over 30 years ago. He caught Ernie Whitts fly ball, on May 15, 1981, the final out of Len Barkers perfect game, in one of the most rememberable images in Cleveland sports history; the Indians defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0. Barker threw 103 pitches, all but 19 were strikes. Another fastball clanked against the press box during a game in Sacramento. I thought it might upset Barkers concentration.7 Whitt did hit the ball to center field, just not too deep. Rick Manning made a superb running catch in center. . He struck out 11 of the 27 hitters he faced. Sun-Times Media ''Traitor." That's the tweet Len Kasper has received dozens of times since announcing he was leaving Cubs TV for White Sox radio. They counted pitches, but they didnt take you out unless you were in trouble.. Munch Bishop: A man with a big heart has major heart surgery. After some games, you could see his right elbow was swollen as he talked to the media. "Everyone says, 'You're probably tired of talking about it.' Our team has a 3.2 grade point average over the last few years, he said. Barker then retired Lloyd Moseby and George Bell to end the first. I had just signed that big contract and felt I owed it to the Braves to keep pitching.. The 1981 Blue Jays may have had a lot of easy outs in that lineup, but they had no easy-out pitchers. After debuting with the Rangers in September 1976, Barker spend the next three seasons only intermittently sticking in rotations with Texas and Cleveland before going 19-12 with a gaudy 4.17 ERA and a league-high 187 strikeouts for the Indians in 1980. len barker perfect game announcerscape verdean stereotypescape verdean stereotypes len barker perfect game announcerssennheiser warranty canadasennheiser warranty canada That starting staff included Bert Blyleven, John Denny, Rick Waits and Barker. Len Barker pitched the 10th perfect game in Major, Last edited on 20 February 2023, at 03:28, "Cleveland's Len Barker promised only a no-hitter", "Pitcher Perfect: Len Barker tosses MLB's ninth perfect game", "Thirty years later, Len Barker recalls perfect game", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Len_Barker%27s_perfect_game&oldid=1140450387, This page was last edited on 20 February 2023, at 03:28. In the fifth inning third baseman Toby Harrah drifted over in foul ground in pursuit of a pop fly off the bat of Willie Upshaw. Because, on that day, the budding Indians' ace hurled a perfect game, never going to ball three on any batter . But it was his curve that was breaking and giving the Jays fits. Barker is now 66. During an 11-year baseball career, Barker compiled 74 wins, 975 The 24-year Barker was selected for the 1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, held in Cleveland on August 9. After debuting with the Rangers in September 1976, Barker spend the next three seasons only intermittently sticking in rotations with Texas and Cleveland before going 19-12 with . In the second inning Cleveland centerfielder Rick Manning had to make a long run to haul in a sinking liner off the bat of Damaso Garcia. Indeed, the reigning AL strikeout king didnt fan a single batter until the fourth inning. After his playing career, Barker returned to the Cleveland area and founded a construction company with a business partner. Len Barker had a 15-11 record and a 3.90 ERA in 1982.Plain Dealer Historical Collection. He was released at the end of 1986 spring training with three years remaining on his contract. This has become home, he said. len barker perfect game announcersguardrail common sensorguardrail common sensor Jacoby would be a two-time All-Star who would hit 120 homers in an Indians jersey. 1981 LEN BARKER PERFECT GAME (DOWNLOADED with Black Border 7/10. The Indians haven't completed a no-hitter since Len Barker's perfect game in 1981, the longest current drought in the majors. Barker pitched for the Texas Rangers (197678), Cleveland Indians (197983), Atlanta Braves (198385) and Milwaukee Brewers (1987). share-5. More From This Game. Thats when Indians starter Len Barker tossed Doug Rader ( Texas Rangers) On Sunday, September 30, 1984, Mike Witt of the California Angels threw a perfect game against the Texas Rangers at Arlington Stadium. Miller batting one spot behind Jose Ramirez Barker never once reached ball three against any Blue Jay hitter. "Everyone says, 'You're probably tired of talking about it.' Lenny Barker made it look easy.12 (Stieb got a degree of revenge against Cleveland, pitching a no-hitter against the Indians on September 2, 1990, at Cleveland Stadium. In the Blue Jays second, Damaso Garcia sent a line drive to left-center that Manning ran down and snared for the final out. It was the Mariners first hit in 16 innings at home. Cronkite School at ASU Also in the ninth, whoever was operating the Municipal Stadium scoreboard flashed a trivia tidbit about how the Blue Jays were one of only two teams in all of baseball who had never been no-hit. CLEVELAND, Ohio - Indians fans, by generation, have their share of memorable seasons to recall: Most recently, 2016, for the World Series. $3230.75. Manning settled under the harmless fly ball, catching it for the 27th consecutive out. The record for most game days between no-hitters is 535, connecting Bobby Burkes August 8, 1931 no-hitter for the Washington Senators to Paul Deans September 21, 1934 no-no for the St. Louis Cardinals. The heat was there as it always was, but Barkers curveball looked better than ever. It came back in the eighth inning, but then we lost it in the ninth.13 Unlike Bill Elwell, Emogene did not leave her home in search of better reception. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. Only eight Toronto batters got as much as a two-ball count. At that time it was our job to get people in the park, and it still is.". Barker continued to pitch with an aching elbow in 1983. cleveland.com. Leonard Harold Barker III (born July 7, 1955 in Fort Knox, Kentucky), [1] better known as Lenny Barker or Len Barker, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. [1] Witt's perfect game came on the last day of the 1984 MLB season. Barker pitched with the Texas Rangers (197678), Cleveland Indians (197983), Atlanta Braves (198385) and Milwaukee Brewers (1987). Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 15 Bruce Newman, Sports Illustrated, May 25, 1981. Terrys Talkin Tribe: Why DeMarlo over Sandy? Mike Hargrove reached first on a fielding error by first baseman John Mayberry. Associated Press file Len Barker signs autographs for fans on May 16, 1981, the day after he pitched a perfect game against the Toronto Blue Jays. He said he had been to every Cleveland baseball game at Municipal Stadium except for five. Barker's perfecto was the first in the majors since 1968, and just the eighth of the modern era at that time. The final out of the game was a flyout caught by Rick Manning in short center field. On that cool night in Cleveland, Barker shut down the Blue Jays. He looked awesome to me, said Woods of Barker.6 It was the last of 11 strikeouts for Barker; all of them were of the swinging variety. The move backfired as Lloyd Moseby lifted Blylevens first offering to left field and Littleton misplayed it.