Brian Tallet's rebound

You can't help but feel bad for Blue Jays lefty Brian Tallet.

He was rocked for three homers and 10 runs in just four innings in his last start, in that 11-3 debacle in Kansas City last Wednesday.

Perhaps he had fallen back to earth after two pretty solid starts in a row after being inserted into the rotation.

But boy, did Tallet ever have a bounce-back on Monday night:

Six no-hit innings against the Cleveland Indians.

Amazing stuff.

It would have been great to see him finish the gem off, but obviously it would have been highly improbable given the fact he has never pitched deep into ballgames in the big leagues as a starter.

Ultimately, he lost the no-no and the 2-0 lead in the seventh, when the Indians scored three runs.

Vernon Well's two-run single in the bottom half, however, gave Toronto a 4-3 lead, putting Tallet in line for the victory.

Alas, it didn't turn out to be Tallet's night, as Brandon League coughed up the advantage with two outs and two strikes in the top of the ninth.

One strike away.

But League--trying for an unusual two-inning save--just couldn't nail it down. (League was closing because Scott Downs had pitched in three straight games and wasn't available.)

Thus, no no-hitter and no victory for Brian Tallet.

But he certainly redeemed himself and did his job.

By the way, wouldn't it have been great though, had Tallet made history by getting the no-no? There were ONLY 15,295 at Rogers Centre, this despite the fact the Blue Jays are in first place and were coming off a three-game sweep at home against the Baltimore Orioles.

And no hockey in Toronto anymore, with the Maple Leafs' season done months ago.

No excuse that only 15,000-plus were on hand for the contest.

Had Tallet indeed gotten the no-no, I'm sure many in T.O. would have been kicking themselves for not being there to witness a piece of history. (Not only that, the game turned out to be a thriller, one that the Jays ultimately lost in 12 innings.)

After all, as far as I can remember, Dave Stewart has been the only pitcher to throw a no-hitter at SkyDome/Rogers Centre, and that was 19 years ago.

Back in 2007, when Dustin McGowan almost had his no-no against Colorado and Frank Thomas was looking for his 500th homer, there were two times more fans in the stands on that Sunday afternoon: 33,910.

Anyways, way to go, Brian Tallet. I would say I've become a fan. I would hope that the 15,000-odd people that showed up feel the same way.