Hill hard-luck loser vs. Bucs

PITTSBURGH — Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Rich Hill lost his perfect game on an error in the ninth inning, then lost his no-hitter on a leadoff home run in the 10th by Josh Harrison that sent the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 1-0 win Wednesday night.

The Pirates didn’t have a runner until Jordy Mercer led off the ninth with a sharp grounder that smacked off third baseman Logan Forsythe’s glove for an error. Hill retired the next three batters.

Hill (9-5) came back out for the 10th, and Harrison sent his 99th pitch of the night into the first row of seats in left field, just out of the reach of left fielder Curtis Granderson. Hill struck out 10 without a walk.

Hill became the first pitcher since Pedro Martinez in 1995 to take a no-hit attempt past nine innings. Martinez, then with Montreal, lost his perfect game in the 10th at San Diego.

After Mercer reached in the ninth, Hill quickly retired the next three batters. Chris Stewart laid down a sacrifice bunt, Jose Osuna grounded out to Forsythe and when shortstop Corey Seager gobbled up a grounder by Starling Marte, Hill had held the Pirates hitless for nine innings.

But to get official credit for a no-hitter under Major League Baseball rules, a pitcher must complete the game — going nine innings isn’t enough if it goes into extras. Back in 1959, a Pirates pitcher had perhaps the most famous near miss of all when Harvey Haddix lost his perfect game and the game itself in the 13th at Milwaukee.

Harrison broke up a no-hit bid by Detroit’s Justin Verlander with two outs in the ninth in 2012. That game ended in a Pittsburgh loss. This one ended with Harrison sprinting toward a mob of teammates at home plate while Hill left as the losing pitcher following the best game of his career.

Juan Nicasio (2-5) picked up the win after working the top of the 10th.

Miami’s Edinson Volquez has pitched the only no-hitter in the majors this year, in June against Arizona.