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amead17 · 10-31-2025, 11:45 AM

BERGER BLANKS GIANTS WITH NO-HIT MASTERPIECE

Pittsburgh Ace Fans Four in 5–0 Triumph; Pirates Extend Winning Ways

By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times
May 11th, 1908

PITTSBURGH — The remarkable start to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ season gathered even greater momentum this afternoon as Heinie Berger etched his name into baseball’s growing lore with a no-hit gem against the New York Giants, securing a 5–0 victory before a jubilant home crowd. The win lifts the Pirates to a commanding 19–8 record, and further cements their reputation as the National League’s team to beat.

While the final score suggests comfort, the game was a tense affair through much of the afternoon. For six innings, Berger worked with only a 1–0 cushion, every pitch delivered under the strain of perfection. Yet the right-hander never faltered. He was precise, composed, and unshakable.

When the Pirates’ bats finally stirred in the seventh and eighth innings, plating four insurance runs, Berger’s triumph began to take shape as the crowd buzzed with realization—no Giant had yet found a hit.

And when the final out was secured, Berger had completed nine innings of hitless baseball, allowing only three walks to mar an otherwise spotless performance. He struck out four in what will be remembered as one of the finest pitching displays of the young season.

The win improves Berger’s personal mark to 6–1, with a sterling 1.85 earned run average—numbers that speak to his growing stature as a cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s pitching corps.

After the game, an elated yet modest Berger spoke briefly about his historic outing:

“I just tried to keep the ball down and let the fellows behind me do their work,” he said, wiping the sweat from his brow. “A man never plans for a no-hitter—it just happens when everything goes your way. The boys made every play, and I owe it to them.”

Manager Zack Brown, who has guided this Pittsburgh club through its blistering start, was equally full of praise for his hurler’s poise and execution:

“That was as fine a game as you’ll ever see pitched,” Brown declared. “Berger never lost his head, even when the Giants put men on with walks. He kept command, and the defense stayed sharp behind him. It was a grand day for Pittsburgh baseball.”

As the Pirates continue to surge through May, Heinie Berger’s no-hit performance stands as the shining jewel of their season thus far—a day when precision, nerve, and teamwork combined to produce pure baseball excellence.

10-31-2025, 11:45 AM	#306
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 8,715	Heinie Berger No Hitter BERGER BLANKS GIANTS WITH NO-HIT MASTERPIECE Pittsburgh Ace Fans Four in 5–0 Triumph; Pirates Extend Winning Ways By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times May 11th, 1908 PITTSBURGH — The remarkable start to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ season gathered even greater momentum this afternoon as Heinie Berger etched his name into baseball’s growing lore with a no-hit gem against the New York Giants, securing a 5–0 victory before a jubilant home crowd. The win lifts the Pirates to a commanding 19–8 record, and further cements their reputation as the National League’s team to beat. While the final score suggests comfort, the game was a tense affair through much of the afternoon. For six innings, Berger worked with only a 1–0 cushion, every pitch delivered under the strain of perfection. Yet the right-hander never faltered. He was precise, composed, and unshakable. When the Pirates’ bats finally stirred in the seventh and eighth innings, plating four insurance runs, Berger’s triumph began to take shape as the crowd buzzed with realization—no Giant had yet found a hit. And when the final out was secured, Berger had completed nine innings of hitless baseball, allowing only three walks to mar an otherwise spotless performance. He struck out four in what will be remembered as one of the finest pitching displays of the young season. The win improves Berger’s personal mark to 6–1, with a sterling 1.85 earned run average—numbers that speak to his growing stature as a cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s pitching corps. After the game, an elated yet modest Berger spoke briefly about his historic outing: “I just tried to keep the ball down and let the fellows behind me do their work,” he said, wiping the sweat from his brow. “A man never plans for a no-hitter—it just happens when everything goes your way. The boys made every play, and I owe it to them.” Manager Zack Brown, who has guided this Pittsburgh club through its blistering start, was equally full of praise for his hurler’s poise and execution: “That was as fine a game as you’ll ever see pitched,” Brown declared. “Berger never lost his head, even when the Giants put men on with walks. He kept command, and the defense stayed sharp behind him. It was a grand day for Pittsburgh baseball.” As the Pirates continue to surge through May, Heinie Berger’s no-hit performance stands as the shining jewel of their season thus far—a day when precision, nerve, and teamwork combined to produce pure baseball excellence.