The Tigers narrowly escape a no-hitter against the Orioles in the ninth but secure the win
The Detroit Tigers came close to achieving a combined no-hitter during a crucial game as they vie for a postseason spot.
Thanks to the efforts of four pitchers—Beau Brieske, Brant Hurter, Brenan Hanifee, and Tyler Holton—the team only allowed one hit in their 1-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park. They faced 29 batters over nine innings, just slightly above the minimum.
Catcher Dillon Dingler participated in his 21st MLB game, contributing behind the plate.
The no-hitter was spoiled when Gunnar Henderson hit a triple with two outs in the ninth inning, driving one off Holton’s first-pitch sweeper down the first-base line. Holton quickly concluded the game by striking out the next batter.
Brieske, a right-handed pitcher, started the game by facing four batters. Hurter, a lefty, served as a primary reliever, encountering 18 batters. Hanifee, also a righty, faced three batters as a traditional reliever, while Holton, another left-hander, faced four batters.
The Tigers (76-72) are in a competitive race for the last wild-card spot in the American League. They maintained their perfect game through seven innings until Hurter issued a walk to Adley Rutschman on eight pitches to start the eighth inning. Hanifee then took the mound and retired the next three batters, preserving the no-hitter and the slim one-run lead.
Hanifee impressively struck out Colton Cowser to finish the eighth, winning a nine-pitch duel.
In the ninth inning, Holton faced Emmanuel Rivera, pinch-hitter Coby Mayo, and Henderson. Rivera flew out to right field with a fourth-pitch cutter, and Mayo struck out looking on a ninth-pitch cutter. However, Henderson connected for a triple, placing the tying run at third base.
Nonetheless, Holton struck out Anthony Santander, sealing the victory.
Hurter, now 26 and with eight MLB appearances under his belt, contributed 5⅔ innings to this combined one-hitter, following Brieske’s 1⅓ innings and leading into the final two innings pitched by Hanifee and Holton. He recorded eight strikeouts, split evenly between swinging and looking, while successfully throwing 53 out of 71 pitches for strikes.
Hurter, who had a 5.80 ERA at Triple-A Toledo, made an impressive start, delivering first-pitch strikes to 17 of 18 batters, including each of his first 14 batters.
His performance was highlighted by an effective use of his sinker and sweeper pitches.
In his MLB career, Hurter boasts a 2.56 ERA over 38⅔ innings.
To reach Evan Petzold, contact at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.