Need immediate help with a baseball trivia question - A Pitcher never struck out by Nolan Ryan?

Question

This onetime Phillies pitcher is the only MLB player to have batted against Nolan Ryan 12 times without ever striking out. He retired after a short time with the St. Louis Cardinals.

This onetime Phillies pitcher is the only MLB player to have batted against Nolan Ryan 12 times without ever striking out. He retired after a short time with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Steve Carlton is the obvious answer, but I worry that it is someone more obscure that played for both teams, like perhaps Darold Knowles. I need to be sure. Beer is at stake!!!

Answer 1

I will almost assure you the answer isn't Steve Carlton, but in fact Fernando Valenzuela. Valenzuela started 7 games for the Phillies in 1994 and did retire as a Cardinal after starting 5 games for them in 1997.
Head to head http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/pvb.cgi?n2=valenfe01&n1=ryanno01

http://www.nolanryan.net/form.htm
It's about 3/4 of the way down the page, but the same question is posed there.

Answer 2

Carlton went 1-9 with 8 Ks against Ryan.

The only player I can find who never struck out against Ryan in 12 tries is Carlos Baerga, who was 6-10 with two walks.

Answer 3

I believe the answer is Steve Carlton. Steve started with the Cardinals but did not retire with them though.

Sorry. I was mistaken. The answer in fact is Fernando. He did retire a Cardinal and never struck out against Ryan in 9 AB's.

Answer 4

Valenzuela was 1-9 (11 plate appearances) against Ryan, with no strikeouts.

He is the pitcher with most at bats against Ryan without having struck out.
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Answer 5

Without a doubt: Steve Carlton. We were just sitting around, having a couple of Buds, when this came up.

Answer 6

I think it is Steve Carlton. I saw it on the sports channel.

Answer 7

carlton?