St. Louis, MO - Over a year after a baseball to the temple nearly killed him, a former Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University pitcher has a dream major league debut.
26-year-old
Daniel Poncedeleon held the Cincinnati Reds hitless through 7 innings pitched,
taking the no-decision in a 2-1 loss for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Originally called up last month from AAA Memphis by the Cardinals but not used in a game, Poncedeleon becomes the first pitcher since 1892 to not allow a hit in his first Major League Baseball appearance.
His performance last night comes after he nearly died last year from an injury during a minor league baseball game.
Poncedeleon took a baseball to the head, needing emergency surgery and months of rehabilitation before returning to the mound this year.