Rodón has no-hitter, a foot from perfection

CHICAGO — Carlos Rodón threw the majors’ second no-hitter of the season Wednesday night, losing his bid for a perfect game on a hit batter in the ninth inning, and the Chicago White Sox cruised to an 8-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Working quickly in short sleeves with the top of his jersey unbuttoned on a cool Chicago night, Rodon threw 75 of his 114 pitches for strikes. The No. 3 pick in the 2014 amateur draft out of North Carolina State struck out seven in his first career shutout and second complete game.

“It’s a pretty special moment,” Rodón said. “It feels good to say I did it.”

Rodón was perfect before he plunked Roberto Perez on his foot with an 0-2 slider with one out in the ninth. An incredulous Rodón looked on in almost bewilderment as Perez made his way to first.

The left-hander regained his composure in time to strike out Yu Chang looking and retire Jordan Luplow on a sharp grounder to third baseman Yoán Moncada, kicking off a joyous celebration. The crowd of 7,148 cheered as Rodón (2-0) jumped with his teammates near the mound, and then started handing out hugs.

It was the first no-hitter for the White Sox since Lucas Giolito on Aug. 25 last year against Pittsburgh and No. 20 in franchise history, second-most in major league history behind the Dodgers.

The closest call for Rodón and the White Sox occurred when Josh Naylor led off the ninth with a slow bouncer. First baseman Jose Abreu picked it up and got his toe on the bag just ahead of a sliding Naylor. The call stood after a video review.

Rodón said when Moncada fielded the ball for the final out, he thought: “I can’t believe this is happening.”

As for Abreu’s play to open the ninth, Rodón said: “I didn’t want him to blow out his knee. Without that play, we don’t get there.”