Jonathan Sanchez throws a no-hitter in San Francisco!

I'm not even going to try to be impartial on this one. As a diehard Giants fan, here are my thoughts on Jonathan Sanchez's spectacular no-hitter tonight against the Padres:

---What an awesome night to be a Giants fan! Sanchez's no-no is the first San Francisco Giants no-hitter in 33 years, when John "The Count" Montefusco no-hit the Atlanta Braves on September 29, 1976.

---This is also a tremendous underdog story. Jonathan Sanchez had been struggling mightily in the Giants rotation this season, having lost four consecutive decisions and losing his spot in the rotation. But in the wake of Randy Johnson's injury, the Giants needed a spot starter tonight against the Padres, and Bruce Bochy called on Sanchez.

---GM Brian Sabean had been involving Sanchez in trade talks, but I think it's pretty safe to say that his spot in the rotation is safe for a while after the no-no.

---Am I biased? Yes. But Jonathan Sanchez's no-hitter is further evidence that the Giants have the best pitching in baseball. Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Barry Zito, Randy Johnson, Jonathan Sanchez, Ryan Sadowski, Jeremy Affeldt, Justin Miller, Merkin Valdez, Bob Howry, Brian Wilson...........the list goes on and on.

---Even a Dodger fan had to be moved by Sanchez's embrace with his father after the game. His father had just flown in from Puerto Rico to see his son pitch for the very first time. What a story.

---The only thing keeping the no-hitter from being a perfect game was Juan Uribe's error in the bottom of the eighth. It was a truly flawless performance from Sanchez: 110 pitches, 0 walks, o hits, 11 strikeouts. What an awesome performance.

---As unbelievable as Sanchez was, he should give a special thanks to center fielder Aaron Rowand. With one out in the top of the ninth, and with 30,298 Giants fans on their feet at AT&T Park, the Padres' Edgar Gonzalez sent a fly ball into deep center. Off the bat, it looked like the no-hitter was going to come to an end, but Rowand made a sensational leaping catch to keep the no-hitter alive.

---Duane Kuiper and Jon Miller both made phenomenal calls of the no-hitter. More proof that the Giants have the best broadcasting team in baseball.

---Congratulations Jonathan Sanchez! Thanks for providing the most exciting baseball moment of 2009! Go Giants!