Astros ace Justin Verlander throws third career no-hitter
Justin V er lander pitched his third career no-hitter, punctuating a dominant season by striking out 14 to lead the Houston Astros past the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 on Sunday.
Verla nd eris just the sixth pitcher in major league history to throw at least three no-hitters.
The right-hand er became the first pitcher to throw two no-hitters as a visitor in the same park—he also threw one at Rogers Centre in 2011 with Detroit. His other no-no was in 2007 for the Tigers against Milwaukee.
V er lander allowed only one runner, with Cavan Biggio drawing a one-out walk in the first inning. The Blue Jays, with a lineup full of young, aggressive batters, never came close to a hit.
"I can' t put it into words," Verlander said, moments after the final out.
The 36- year-old Verlander joined Nolan Ryan( seven ), Sandy Koufax (four) and Bob Fell er, Cy Young and 1880 s-era Larry Corcoran (three) in rarefied air on the no-hitter list.
"Some of the guys I've idolized ," Verla nd er said.
Verla nd er threw a season-high 120 pitches, mixing a fast ball that reached the upper 90s mph with a sharp curve.
This was the fourth no-hitter in the majors this year. The last one was by the As tr os, too, a combined effort from Aaron Sanchez, Will Harris, Joe Biagini and Chris Devenski (9) against Seattle on Aug. 3.
Oakland's Mike Fiers and a tandem effort by Taylor Cole and Felix Pen a of the Angels accounted for this year's other gems.
Verlander (17-5) is tied for the big league lead in wins. He tops the majors in strikeouts ( 257) and innings (193) and leads the AL with a 2.56 ERA.
Indians' Carrasco makes emotional return to the mound
Cleveland Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco made his return to the mound from leukemia Sunday and was applauded by both teams in a touching scene at Tropicana Field during Tampa Bay's 8-2 victory.
Carrasco entered in the seventh inning for his first major league appearance since being diagnosed with a treatable form of leukemia in June. The right-hander received a standing ovation from the crowd, and players from both sides cheered while standing in front of their respective dugouts.
Indians star shortstop Francisco Lindor went to the mound and hugged an emotional Carrasco, who was activated before the game following several minor league rehab outings.