Justin Verlander loses no-hitter in the ninth
By Scott Boeck, USA TODAY
Updated 3h 21m ago
Detroit's Justin Verlander came within two outs of his third career no-hitter Friday night in a 6-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh's Josh Harrison singled up the middle with one out in the ninth to spoil the bid by the reigning American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner.
Harrison played the spoiler roll on Sunday against the Houston Astros when he had a walk-off hit in the 12th inning.
BOX SCORE: Tigers 6, Pirates 0
Verlander struck out 12 and walked two in front of an energetic crowd at Comerica Park.
"It was just amazing," Verlander said. "These fans have been unbelievable in supporting me, this team, this city. It's been really special to be a part of this for seven years now. They show support for me when it's good, when it's bad, and it means a lot."
In an exhilarating eighth, he struck out the side and hit 100 mph on the radar gun.
Casey McGehee struck out on a 98 mph fastball. Nate McLouth on a pitch that hit 99. And Clint Barmes saw a 100 mph pitch.
"His stuff is so good, any time he gets to the fifth or sixth inning with a no-hitter, it's in the back of your mind," Tigers catcher Alex Avila said. "When he gets to the middle of the game, you think it can happen."
It looks as though Verlander is a fan of interleague play. He is now 16-2 with a 2.75 ERA in 21 starts against National League teams, including a no-hitter.
On June 12, 2007, he pitched the first no-hitter at Comerica Park in an interleague game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
His second came against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 2, 2011.
He remains tied with Virgil Trucks for the most no-hitters in Detroit history.
The 6-foot-5 right-hander would have been the third pitcher to throw a no-hitter this season. Jered Weaver of the Los Angeles Angles pitched a no-hitter on May 2 against the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox's Philip Humber tossed a perfect game against the Seattle Mariners on April 21.
Verlander was also vying to join a small fraternity of pitchers with three or more no-hitters. Only Nolan Ryan (7), Sandy Koufax (4), Bob Feller (3), Larry Corcoran (3), and Cy Young (3) have accomplished that feat.
Instead, he settled for his sixth career shutout and 16th complete game.
Delmon Young provided the offense with three RBI for the Tigers, who collected 13 hits.
Contributing: AP
See photos of: Detroit Tigers, Justin Verlander
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