Tigers flirt with perfect game, fall out short of no-hitter in win

The  Detroit Tigers took a perfect game into the eighth inning and fell one out short of a combined no-hitter in a 1-0 win over the  Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.

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

It’s the third no-hit bid in the MLB this season that was lost with two outs in the ninth inning. The Atlanta Braves fell short of a combined no-hitter in a win over the New York Mets on May 11, and the Houston Astros’ Framber Valdez lost his no-hitter on a two-out home run by Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager on Aug. 6.

Before Holton pitched the ninth,  Beau Brieske and Brant Hurter teamed to take a perfect game into the eighth inning, retiring 21 consecutive batters before Adley Rutschman’s eight-pitch walk leading off the eighth. 

Brenan Hanifee retired the next three batters, and Holton relieved to start the ninth. 

Emmanuel Rivera flied out and pinch-hitter Coby Mayo took a called third strike. Henderson pulled a first-pitch sweeper into the right-field corner for the Orioles’ second baserunner.

Henderson became just the second batter to end a no-hit bid with a two-out triple in the ninth, joining the St. Louis Cardinals’ Bernard Gilkey against the Chicago Cubs’ Frank Castillo on Sept. 25, 1995.

Holton struck out Santander to remain perfect in eight save chances.

Kerry Carpenter, Detroit’s second batter, homered on the third pitch of the game from Zach Eflin (10-9), accounting for the game’s lone run.

Detroit (76-72) started the day 3½ games back of Minnesota for the final AL wild card.

Baltimore (83-65) began the night two games behind the AL East-leading New York Yankees.

Brieske was planned to start as an opener and retired four batters while throwing 11 of 16 pitches for strikes.

Hunter struck out eight in 5⅔ innings while throwing 53 of 71 pitches for strikes. He started 17 of 18 batters with strikes, including his first 14.

Hanifee relieved after Rutschman’s walk and got a pair of strikeouts around a forceout.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.