Clay Kirby removed for a pinch hitter with a no hitter

On July 21, 1970, San Diego Padres manager Preston Gomez lifts starter Clay Kirby for a pinch-hitter, Cito Gaston in the eighth inning, even though the right-hander has a no-hitter in progress. Gaston fails to get a hit off Mets starter Jim McAndrew

With the Padres trailing 1-0, Gomez decides to play for the win instead of letting Kirby finish. The Mets had manufactured a run in the first, Kirby walked the leadoff man, Tommy Agee, Agee stole 2nd, and after another walk to Ken Singleton, the Mets pulled off a double steal and agee would score on a fielders choice. Kirby was effectively wild and did walk 3 more batters with only one, Joy Foy getting into scoring position. The Padres eventually lose both the game 3-0 and as the Mets added 2 runs and 3 hits of reliever Jack Baldschun. Gomez will repeat the controversial move on September 4, 1974.

This game was just the 259th of their existence, it will take until 2021 Season for a Padre pitcher to throw a no-hitter. 

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