Fiers draws cheers, perfect in 1st game since Astros reveal

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Oakland Athletics fan K.C. Sandstrom was sitting down the right field line watching his team warm up while armed with a small dry-erase board, a marker and a statement written in all caps.

“MIKE FIERS FOR PRESIDENT”

It's been a tumultuous few months for Fiers, the current A's pitcher and former Houston player who helped expose the Astros' sign-stealing scandal that's rocked Major League Baseball. But on a cool Sunday in Arizona, the 34-year-old received a largely warm reception during his first spring training appearance in Mesa.

“Oakland's going to support us no matter what," Fiers said after throwing two perfect innings against San Francisco. “They've always been there. It's fun, it's fun playing in front of these fans and with these guys. Just a great day of baseball.”

While Fiers is now widely known for his connection to the Astros' sign-stealing, he's also an accomplished pitcher. He's thrown two no-hitters over nine seasons and is coming off his best year in the big leagues — he finished with a 15-4 record and 3.90 ERA in a career-high 184 2/3 innings in 2019.

When the Oakland lineup was announced before the game, he received loud cheers from the A's side of the stadium. The Giants' side was a little less enthusiastic, but certainly not hostile.

“Overall, a good day,” Fiers said. “I was able to throw strikes, I was able to put balls where I wanted to and threw all my pitches.”

Baseball's biggest scandal in years began in November after Fiers detailed to The Athletic about how the Astros used electronics to illicitly steal signs from opposing catchers during their World Series-winning season in 2017. Fiers pitched three seasons for the Astros, including 2017.

Fiers' role as the whistleblower in the Astros' scandal has...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Fiers-draws-cheers-perfect-in-1st-game-since-15078729.php