This story was originally published by Dead Spin
The Detroit Tigers came within one out of a combined no-hitter, then held on for a 1-0 win over the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.
Gunnar Henderson ended the no-hit bid with a triple off Tyler Holton. Kerry Carpenter’s first-inning homer accounted for the game’s lone run.
Beau Brieske and Brant Hurter combined for seven perfect innings before Hurter walked Adley Rutschman on a 3-2 pitch to lead off the eighth.
Brenan Hanifee then replaced Hurter and struck out pinch hitter Austin Slater. Eloy Jimenez grounded into a forceout and Colton Cowser struck out on a foul tip, keeping the no-hitter intact.
In the ninth, Holton retired Emmanuel Rivera on a fly ball before pinch hitter Coby Mayo was called out on strikes. Henderson then smacked Holton’s next pitch down the right field line for his triple. Holton responded by striking out Anthony Santander to secure his eighth save.
Brieske opened for the Tigers (76-72) and departed after getting the first four outs. Hurter (5-1) pitched the next 5 2/3 innings and allowed just the walk while striking out eight.
Zach Eflin (10-9) gave up one run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings for the Orioles (83-65).
Carpenter blasted his 15th home run of the season to right-center with one out in the first. He jumped on a first-pitch curveball from Eflin.
Meanwhile, the Tigers pitchers continued to set down every batter they faced. Hurter struck out the first two batters in the fifth, then retired Jimenez on a flyout.
Hurter was even more unhittable in the sixth, fanning Cowser, Rivera and Jackson Holliday to keep the perfect game going.
Henderson and Santander grounded out before Hunter struck out Cedric Mullins to end the top of the seventh.
Eflin exited after Wenceel Perez lined a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh. Perez was thrown out trying to steal second.
Detroit had runners in scoring position in the eighth, as Parker Meadows lined a two-out triple and Zach McKinstry drew a walk. After McKinstry stole second, Orioles reliever Matt Bowman struck out Matt Vierling.
–Field Level Media
