Gunnar Henderson broke up the combined no-hitter with two outs in the ninth inning, hitting a triple just past diving first baseman Spencer Torkelson for Baltimore’s first hit. Despite this, the Detroit Tigers managed to secure a 1-0 victory over the Orioles on Friday night.
Beau Brieske and Brant Hurter (5-1) retired the first 21 Baltimore batters before Adley Rutschman walked after a long at-bat in the eighth inning.
“That was an incredibly well-pitched game by all four of our guys tonight,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “There’s the letdown of the near-miss, but that’s still a shutout of a really good offense.”
Brenan Hanifee took over from Hurter and retired the next three batters.
Tyler Holton came in to pitch the ninth. Emmanuel Rivera flied out, and pinch-hitter Coby Mayo struck out looking.
Henderson hit Holton’s first pitch, a sweeping curveball, sharply into the right-field corner.
“It’s a one-run ballgame, so we knew that if someone got on base, we had a chance to run into one for a two-run homer,” Henderson said. “That’s all I was trying to do.”
Henderson became only the second batter to break up a no-hitter 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 Anthony Santander to complete his perfect record in eight save opportunities.
“It was a one-run game, so it was really important for him to reset and get set for the next hitter,” Hinch said. “It’s still an agonizing feeling to see Santander coming up with a runner on third and a chance to put them ahead with a big swing.”
Holton, however, wasn’t focused on the no-hit bid.
“I didn’t even realize it was happening, honestly,” he said. “I just wanted to get us the win.”
Kerry Carpenter, Detroit’s second batter, homered on the third pitch of the game from Zach Eflin (10-9), who gave up five hits in 6 2/3 innings.
“We just didn’t score,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said.
