A Means streak
» The Orioles’ John Means no-hits the Mariners, allowing only one runner on a wild pitch.
SEATTLE — The clubhouse party that awaited John Means was more than 50 years in the making for the Baltimore Orioles and more like a playoff berth being clinched rather than a Wednesday in May.
Only a wild pitch in the dirt kept the Orioles from a wild celebration of perfection. That’s how dominant Means was in throwing the major leagues’ third no-hitter of the season in Baltimore’s 6-0 win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.
No, it wasn’t perfection. But it was about as close as it comes.
“I never really thought I’d be here. I’d always write MLB player when I was a kid on the on the sheet when asked you when you what you wanted to do when you’re older, but I never thought it was a reality,” Means said. “And now that it is, and now I’m able to throw this, it’s crazy and I don’t even know how to describe it.”
Means (4-0) struck out 12 and walked none. Seattle’s only baserunner was Sam Haggerty after he raced to first swinging on a curveball in the dirt for strike three with one outs in the third inning. The 1-2 bounced away from catcher Pedro Severino and ended up being the only blemish that separated Means from a perfect game.
Haggerty wasn’t on base long, getting thrown out attempting to steal second.
“I could care less that it wasn’t perfect game,” Means said following his first complete game in 44 career big league starts.
Means lowered his ERA to 1.37 and became the first individual Orioles pitcher to toss a no-hitter since Jim Palmer against Oakland on Aug. 13, 1969.
“It’s such a crazy feeling. It’s such a whirlwind of an experience. I don’t think I’ve been able to process it yet,” Means said. “But to be in the same breath as Palmer, I don’t think that it gets much better than that.”
In a season in which batters are on track to hit a record-low .234, Means joined a no-hit club that includes gems by San Diego’s Joe Musgrove at Texas on April 9 and by Carlos Rodon of the White Sox against Cleveland on April 14.
It’s the first time since 1969 there have been three complete game no-hitters this early in the season.
“Really can’t put into words what the last three outs, seeing how the teammates embraced him,” Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said. “Our your clubhouse after the game it was like we clinched a playoff spot.”