Justin Verlander (AGE 24) threw a no-hitter Tuesday, striking out a career-high 12 Brewers in a 4-0 win. He walked four batters in going to 7-2 on the year, while lowering his ERA to 2.79. Verlander's ERA is even better than the 3.63 he posted a year ago that led to a 17-9 record, a World Series appearance and the 2006 AL Rookie of the Year award.
Justin Verlander was hitting 100 mph on the radar gun and had his changeup working beautifully. As a result, he pitched the Tigers’ first no-hitter since Jack Morris in 1984, that team went on to win themselves a World Series that year. Morris fanned eight and walked six.
The pitcher who holds the record for the most no-hitters is Nolan Ryan, who threw seven in his long career (three more than any other pitcher) and was regarded as the undisputed king of no-hitters. His first two came exactly two months apart, while he was with the California Angels: the first on May 15, 1973 (AGE 26) and the second on July 15 (A game I attended). He won two more with the Angels. He threw his fifth no-hitter with Houston in 1981, which broke Sandy Koufax's record. His sixth and seventh no-hitters came with the Texas Rangers. At age 44 when he tossed #7, he was also the oldest pitcher to toss a no-hitter.
With Bonds approaching Aaron’s record – maybe we better look for Justin to overtake Ryan in no-hitters – as he is already 2 years ahead Ryan to the first one.
Verlander - No sophomore slump
Verlander - No sophomore slump
Main C3-pick#12 Crawford/Upton/Mags/Guillen/Chipper/Zimmerman/Del Young