Davis' bunt single breaks up Schilling's perfect game in 2001

5/26/01: Ben Davis lays down a bunt single with one out in the bottom of the 8th to break up D-backs starter Curt Schilling's perfect game


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Join the conversation!

[ObiWanKenobi]

Honestly, having a perfectly executed bunt to get on base is just as hard as having a regular base hit.

[RightCenterBack]

No pitcher is entitled to a no-hitter. In fact, it's the duty of every batter to get on base any way they can.

[thiefswiller]

There’s nothing wrong with this at all. His team was only down 2 runs and needed to find a way to get on base and win the game. I’d be happy to argue with anyone who disagrees

[jollyroger]

I'm a D-Backs fan and even I'll admit, that's called being smart. The Padres were only down 2-0 and needed a baserunner. In baseball, you do whatever it takes.

[ButchRahman]

Great hit. Down two runs, you find any possible way to get a guy on. You're not going to try to bunt because your opponent has no hit you? That's ridiculous.

[Cain-x]

Never quite understood this written rule. If the bunt gets you on base, job well done. Who cares how the pitcher and fielders feel? If it breaks up a no-hitter, boo hoo cry me a river.

[JCB]

The look on his face after reaching first just says “I’m gonna get smoked next ab for this”

[lawrencepelo]

Great bunt. Popped it right into no man's land where it died. Screw your perfect game, Schilling. Is the other team supposed to stop trying because you have a good game going?

[hmhm]

In 2001, Padres got no-hit twice (Marlins Burnett, Cardinals), and almost got perfected by Schilling. Many pitchers pitched gems against them as well. Surprisingly, they finished with a respectable record of 79-83.

[hmhm]

For both a perfect game and a no-hitter, every time you have a chance to be the tying run on base, or the go-ahead run on base, OR if you have the chance to get on base so that the tying or winning run is the next hitter, then the bunt is a very smart play.

[metawarlrd]

I personally have no problem with the bunt at that stage of the game, because you gotta try something to try and give yourself a chance to win the game

[gusmilonas]

if it was 7-0 let it go but its 2-0 a home run ties game

[eoetoast]

Thank god Schilling never got a perfect game

[rickbase]

As a Padres fan who watched both of Tim Lincecum's no-hitters against the Padres in back to back wish someone on either of those San Diego teams would have tried this.

[KnickKnack]

So...if the defense is playing in such a way as to give them a huge advantage...whether this is playing very deep, or playing a shift...then the batter shouldn't be able to do something to level the playing field and take away the advantage the defense gained?

It is like saying a hockey player shouldn't shoot to the far side of the net if the goalie is favoring the short side.

[ktbmyers]

It was actually a terrible "bunt"...It was more an act of desperation. Entirely legitimate.

[Joepo]

That bunt was a thing of beauty. He got on base basically with a pop up …. By design….

[ZekeMahogany]

Why do I have to watch a 30-second commercial for a 48-second clip? Ugh.

[lashlarue]

Absolutely nothing wrong with this. Schilling was dominating (more dominating than usual) and only down two runs in the late innings it's the hitter's job to do whatever he can to bring the tying run to the plate and he did. That's good baseball. It's not the hitter's job to make it easier or to give the pitcher his no hitter.

[chaosawaits]

If a team is going to play so far back that laying down a bunt has an excellent chance of succeeding, you take the opportunity, especially when only down 2 runs. Anyone who says that isn't macho doesn't understand competition. He didn't break a rule like Tabata.