TORONTO — Justin Verlander threw his second career no-hitter and the second in the big leagues this week, leading the Tigers to a 9-0 victory over the Blue Jays on Saturday.
Verlander barely missed a perfect game. The only runner he allowed came with one out in the eighth inning when J.P. Arencibia walked on a full count, with Verlander’s 12th pitch to the rookie just an inch or two outside.
Minnesota’s Francisco Liriano pitched a no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.
Verlander (3-3) struck out 12 in his first no-hitter, against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 12, 2007. This time, he fanned Rajai Davis to end it for his fourth strikeout of the game. The overpowering right-hander threw 108 pitches, 74 for strikes, against a Blue Jays lineup missing ailing slugger Jose Bautista.
Verlander became the 30th pitcher in major-league history to throw multiple career no-hitters, Stats Llc. said.
“Just as good as the first,” Verlander said.
Blue Jays rookie David Cooper popped to second on Verlander’s first pitch of the ninth. John McDonald followed with a grounder to second, and Verlander flashed a grin. With the crowd of 23,453 standing and cheering, Davis ended it by striking out swinging on a 2-2 pitch from the 2006 AL rookie of the year.
Verlander calmly pumped his fist and smiled, then shared a hug with catcher Alex Avila before being mobbed by teammates near the mound. He was doused with a bucket of ice water by reliever Jose Valverde.
“I felt like tonight I had really good control of my fastball, and I just used that to my advantage,” Verlander said. “My breaking ball was surprisingly my worst pitch.”
