Blue Jays Appear to Be in Double (No-Hit) Trouble

Look out Blue Jays: Nolan Ryan’s hurting again.

Tonight, Ryan makes his first appearance since no-hitting Toronto 3-0 a week ago in Arlington Stadium. He will try to become the first pitcher to throw back-to-back no-hitters since Johnny Vander Meer of the Cincinnati Reds in 1938.

“My back has been bothering me but things are getting better and if I don’t have another setback I should be ready,” Ryan said on Tuesday.

Ryan also is hampered with a crack in the scar tissue on his right middle finger.

Ryan had a multiplicity of ailments last Wednesday before he threw the first no-hitter for the Texas Rangers in Arlington Stadium history. His back, head, achilles heel, and middle finger hurt. Then he threw the most dominating of his seven no-hitters.

Also, it should be noted Ryan’s sixth no-hitter came in Oakland when his back was throbbing.

Ryan doesn’t like the fact he has to face the same Toronto team he humiliated on May 1.

“I hate pitching two games in a row against the same team,” Ryan said. “Usually, the hitters have a better idea of what you’re going to be throwing. If I had my preference, I’d like to pitch against another team.”

Ryan struck out 16 Blue Jays and walked only two with a dominating arsenal of 96 mph fastballs, 86 mph changeups, and 80 mph curves.

“He made Toronto look like Little Leaguers,” said Texas general manager Tom Grieve.

The 44-year-old Ryan said he could pitch another no-hitter.

“It’s possible,” he said. “Anybody who walks out on the mound is capable of throwing one. I’d like to be in that position again.”

Ryan said because Toronto hit against him last week that “I’ll have to change my approach this time. Give them something different.”

Ryan threw mostly offspeed stuff in the early innings and came with his heater as the game wore on.

The Blue Jays hope Ryan changes. Of Ryan’s 122 pitches, 83 were strikes and Toronto placed only eight of his offerings in fair territory.

Ryan said that feeling bad may have worked to his advantage against the Blue Jays the first time.

“When things aren’t right I guess it causes you to be more focused,” Ryan said. “The night I had my first no-hitter (against Kansas City) I felt miserable.”