Back to reality for Homer Bailey after no-hitter

By Will Graves

Associated Press

Published: Saturday, Sept. 29 2012 4:00 p.m. MDT

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Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey, center, hugs Cincinnati Reds catcher Ryan Hanigan, left, as first baseman Joey Votto joins the celebration after getting the final out of a no-hitter in a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. The Reds won 1-0.

Gene J. Puskar, Associated Press

Summary

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey spent the hours after his no-hitter on Friday night celebrating with teammates and a healthy helping of Kentucky bourbon.

PITTSBURGH — Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey spent the hours after his no-hitter on Friday night celebrating with teammates and a healthy helping of Kentucky bourbon.

By Saturday morning, however, it was back to work.

Bailey says he answered every one of the 140-plus congratulatory messages he received after tossing the first no-hitter by a Cincinnati pitcher in 24 years, though he admitted he copied and pasted some of his responses to save time.

While ecstatic over the greatest night of his career, the 26-year-old sees it as just another stepping stone. He eclipsed 200 innings pitched for the year on Friday night, too, and says he's as healthy as he's ever been this late in the season.

Bailey still plans to start the regular-season finale on Wednesday before the National League Central champions begin the playoffs.

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