Verlander is at it again: 3rd nohitter for pitcher
Third career masterpiece is his second in Toronto
Houston’s Justin Verlander celebrates after throwing a nohitter in Toronto on Sunday in a 20 victory. He retired the final 26 hitters to become the sixth pitcher in history with more than two nohitters. Story,
TORONTO — Justin Verlander took the mound for the ninth inning, fully aware of the nohitters he finished — and his close calls, too.
Zeroed in, he wouldn’t be denied
Verlander pitched his third career nohitter, punctuating a dominant season by striking out 14 to lead the Astros past Toronto 20 on Sunday.
Verlander became the sixth majorleaguer to throw at least three nohitters, an elite club that includes Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax and Cy Young.
“It means a lot,” Verlander said. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t know that. I’ve come so close. Since I’ve had two, I think I’ve blown two in the ninth and another couple in the eighth.”
Verlander became the first pitcher to throw two nohitters as a visitor in the same park — he also threw one at Rogers Centre in 2011 with Detroit. His other nono was in 2007 for the Tigers against Milwaukee.
“I guess I have to like this mound a lot now,” Verlander joked.
Verlander allowed only one runner, with Cavan Biggio drawing a oneout walk in the first inning. The Blue Jays, with a lineup full of young, aggressive batters, didn’t come close to a hit.
While throwing a seasonhigh 120 pitches, Verlander mixed a fastball that reached the upper 90s mph with a sharp curve. He retired the last 26 hitters.
But it wasn’t until after Abraham Toro — a 22yearold rookie third baseman from Longueuil, Quebec — hit a twoout, tworun homer in the ninth inning off Ken Giles that Verlander was pitching with a lead.
“The whole dugout was going crazy because everybody knew what was on the line,” Toro said of his hit.
Toro made a routine play on Bo Bichette’s grounder to third base for the last out. Verlander joked that Toro, playing just his eighth game in the majors, was in for quite a nice reward.
“I could not be happier for that kid,” said Verlander, who sought out Toro for an onfield hug after the game. “Just an incredible moment for him, from Canada, to able to do that and then get the last out as well. Such a special moment and I’m happy I’m able to celebrate with him.”