MLB Twitter users were not happy with Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell for pulling ace Corbin Burnes from his no-hitter.
The Milwaukee Brewers had only thrown one no-hitter in its franchise’s history, which took place back in 1987 by Juan Nieves. That all changed on Saturday during Milwaukee’s 3-0 win over the Cleveland Indians.
Corbin Burnes was striking out Cleveland’s lineup with relative ease, allowing zero hits but he was building up a high pitch count. At the end of the eighth inning, sitting at 115 pitches thrown, manager Craig Counsell opted to pull him from the game, and allow Josh Hader to close out the game for the combined no-hitter.
Many Twitter users were not too pleased with Counsell’s decision.
MLB Twitter upset with Craig Counsell over pulling Corbin Burnes during no-hitter
They're pulling Burnes. Silly Craig Counsell, I hope your team loses now.
— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) September 12, 2021
I am being petty, but let me be petty damnit.
Craig Counsell is irritating. Who pulls a guy after 8 when he’s pitching a no-hitter?!? Let the man go get it.
— Joshua Lorbach (@4evaThugLife) September 12, 2021
Like if you're Craig Counsell can't you just skip Burnes' next start so he can throw one more inning tonight? It's not like they have to worry about anyone catching them in the division.
— Mike Lox (@mike_lox) September 12, 2021
Craig Counsell took out Corbin Burnes who had a no-hitter going through 8. I can’t believe he did that!
— Amy Sue ✌🏻❤️🎵 ⚾️🏈🏒 (@nyyankeechick) September 12, 2021
I love Craig Counsell but I strongly disagree with his decision making there. I feel bad for Burnes
— Caleb Kassulke (@ckassulke24) September 12, 2021
I am not a fan of that decision Craig Counsell. #thisismycrew
— Nick Simmons (@nisimmo) September 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/B_Luke70/status/1436854479673085953
Can someone please explain to me why Craig counsell is taking burnes out of the game when he has one more inning to make history.
— skipster28 (@skipster28) September 12, 2021
As much as I love Craig Counsell, I STRONGLY disagree with his decision here. Let him finish it Craig!
— Drew (@DrewberLawffice) September 12, 2021
This was undoubtedly a difficult decision for Counsell to make. While Burnes was one inning away from a complete game no-hitter, the team does have World Series aspirations and holds a comfortable lead in the NL Central with less than a month left in the regular-season. With that high of a pitch count, Counsell chose to play it safe and avoid a potential injury to Burnes.
In his outing, Burnes struck out 14 batters and issued just one walk in eight innings of work.
Whatever you agree or disagree with Counsell’s decision, the no-hitter still goes down as the franchise’s second ever.