#44 06/16/86 – Anaheim Stadium – Joyner Scores on a Walk-off Strikeout

It is possibly the rarest event in baseball – a “walk-off strikeout.” According to the Seattle Times, it has only happened 6 times in the last 50 years.[1] One of the most unique rules in the official MLB rulebook is Rule 6.09 (b) - the one regarding an uncaught third strike. It states that if a third strike touches the ground before being caught, or if the catcher drops it, the batter may run to first as long as: 1) first base is open or 2) there are already two outs.[2] That rule was the key to one of the strangest victories in Angels’ history.

It was an epic pitching duel between Kirk McCaskill and Charlie Hough of the Texas Rangers. McCaskill pitched brilliantly, allowing only one unearned run on four hits, while striking out ten in nine innings of work. But Hough was even better. As he stepped onto the mound in the bottom of the ninth, he was three outs away from a no-hitter.

The knuckleballer struck out pinch hitter Ruppert Jones for the first out. Jack Howell then smacked a line drive to leftfield for what appeared to be the second out; but the leftfielder misplayed the catch, and Howell ended up at third on a three base error. Rookie phenom Wally Joyner then stepped up to the plate. He ended the no-hit bid with a single that tied the game. Joyner then advanced to second on a passed ball, but Hough still succeeded in striking out Doug DeCinces. With two outs, and first base open, the Rangers issued an intentional walk to Reggie Jackson, bringing up George Hendrick.

With a full count, Hough struck out Hendrick for his third strikeout of the inning; but the ball got away from catcher Orlando Mercado. Hendrick ran to first, and Joyner, who was running on the pitch, raced all the way home. Hough was so stunned, he failed to cover the plate. Mercado staggered back toward the plate to tag out Joyner, but Wally eluded the tag, scoring the winning run on a walk-off strikeout - the only one in history where the winning run scored from second on what should have been the third out.

Hough's near gem was the first of two no-hitters Joyner would break up in the ninth in 1986 as he helped the Angels win the third AL West title in their history.

References:

[1] http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/marinersblog/2013036937_mariners_keep_on_making_histor.html

[2]  http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/batter_6.jsp

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