Verlander loses no-no in 9th, settles for shutout
Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander came within three outs of making history Wednesday at Comerica Park, losing his bid for a third career no-hitter after surrendering a leadoff double to Chris Iannetta of the Los Angeles Angels in the top of the ninth inning.
Despite being denied entry into one of baseball's most exclusive clubs – only five pitchers have recorded more than two career no-hitters – Verlander still enjoyed one of his most memorable starts of the last three years, allowing just three baserunners while fanning nine en route to a 5-0 victory and his first complete-game shutout since 2012.
As for Iannetta's fateful ninth-inning line drive that landed directly on the foul line in left before skidding into the corner for a double? Verlander admitted he erred in his location to the veteran catcher.
"I threw what I wanted," said Verlander. "I just didn't locate it. ... It was the only ball all night I threw over the heart of the plate."
(Courtesy: MLB.com)
Slowed earlier this season by a triceps injury that precipitated his first ever stint on the disabled list, Verlander's masterful outing against the Angels continued his recent stretch of dominance for the scuffling Tigers. The 32-year-old has now allowed one earned run or fewer in his last four starts, tossing at least six innings each time out to lower his ERA to 3.45 through 13 outings in 2015.
"This has a special meaning because of the way the fans were treating me and reacting. I know they've wanted to see me back as bad as I have, and from the sixth inning on, they were unbelievable," Verlander said. "They gave me goosebumps coming off the mound in the seventh because of the way they were reacting. It was nice to hear."
Back in 2007, in just his second full season with the Tigers, Verlander recorded the franchise's first no-hitter in more than two decades with a masterful performance against the Milwaukee Brewers. Four years later, he threw another en route to the American League's MVP and Cy Young awards.