Tigers flirt with perfect game, but miss no-hitter in victory

The Detroit Tigers played a perfect game until the eighth inning, but missed the combined no-hitter by just one point in their 1-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.

Gunnar Henderson hit a triple just past the glove of diving first baseman Spencer Torkelson with two outs in the ninth inning for the Orioles’ first hit, but Tigers left-hander Tyler Holton struck out Anthony Santander to secure the win.

“That was an incredibly well-pitched game tonight by all four guys,” said Tigers manager AJ Hinch. “While there is disappointment in the near win, it’s still a shutout by a really good offense.”

It was the third major league no-hitter attempt this season to be lost with two outs in the ninth inning. The Atlanta Braves failed to throw a combined no-hitter in a win over the New York Mets on May 11, and Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros lost his no-hitter on Aug. 6 on a two-out home run by Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager.

Before Holton threw the ninth pitch, Beau Brieske and Brant Hurter combined to pitch a perfect game through the eighth inning, striking out 21 batters in a row before Adley Rutschman led off the eighth inning with an eight-pitch walk.

Brenan Hanifee followed Hurter and struck out the next three batters.

Holton was relieved at the start of the ninth inning. Emmanuel Rivera was thrown out and pinch hitter Coby Mayo received a third strike.

Henderson hit Holton’s first pitch – a sweeper – at 103.2 mph onto the ground and into the right field corner.

“It’s a one-run ballgame, so we knew that if somebody got on base, we had a chance to hit a two-run homer,” Henderson said. “That’s all I was trying to do.”

Henderson became only the second batter to end a no-hit attempt with a two-out triple in the ninth inning, joining Bernard Gilkey of the St. Louis Cardinals against Frank Castillo of the Chicago Cubs on September 25, 1995.

Holton struck out Santander and remained perfect with eight saves.

“It was a one-run game, so it was very important for him to refocus and be ready for the next batter,” Hinch said. “It’s still a nagging feeling to see Santander line up with a runner on third base and a chance to take the lead with a big swing.”

Holton, however, was not worried about losing the no-hit offer.

“Honestly, I didn’t even realize it was happening,” he said. “I just wanted us to win.”

Kerry Carpenter, Detroit’s second batter, hit a home run on the third pitch of the game against Zach Eflin (10-9), scoring the only run of the game.

“We just didn’t score,” said Orioles manager Brandon Hyde.

Detroit (76-72) started the day 3½ games behind Minnesota for the last AL wildcard playoff spot.

Baltimore (83-65) began the evening two games behind the New York Yankees, who lead the AL East.

Brieske was scheduled to start as the opening hitter and struck out four batters while throwing 11 of 16 pitches as strikes.

Hunter had eight strikeouts in 5⅔ innings and threw 53 of 71 pitches for strikes. He started 17 of 18 batters with strikes, including his first 14.

“You have to give a lot of credit to that left-hander – he has a great arm angle and was pumping strikes,” Hyde said. “We struggled to stay with him and couldn’t move him to center all night.”

Hanifee was relieved after Rutschman’s walk and managed a forceout and two strikeouts.

The game came three days after rookie Keider Montero struck out a minimum of 27 batters in a three-hit shutout against Colorado. It was Detroit’s first complete game since Spencer Turnbull’s no-hit win over Seattle on May 18, 2021. Montero and Hurter pitched together for the Eastern League champions last season.

“These young guys were very important because they’re getting experiences that they obviously never got in the major leagues,” Hinch said. “But they won together in Erie last year, and believe me, they had fun doing it and we all had fun doing it.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.