That’s’s two! I can’t help but believe there will be more.
Sometimes Justin Verlander’s pitch-count is at 108 in the sixth inning, but on Saturday that was all he threw to record his second career no-hitter; this to beat the Toronto Blue Jays.
Without allowing a base-runner until the second batter of the Eighth inning, Verlander seemed like a completely different pitcher than he was even in his first no-no (June 12, 2007). He walked J.P. Arencibia in a twelve –pitch at-bat which featured five pitches at or above 99mph (note: that is ridiculous given it was the 8th inning).
Photo: Sports Illustrated
Despite throwing that blazing fastball, Verlander fanned just four hitters. This might be the largest difference between the two gems. The first time around, he struckout 12 Milwaukee Brewers while walking four. However, he still managed to throw just four pitches more than he did Saturday.
While the Liriano no-hitter seemed to be more about a pitcher capitalizing on an opponent’s struggling offense, this effort by Verlander was one of those spectacular, awe-inspiringly dominant performances.
Just 34 of the 108 pitches thrown came in out of the strikezone.
Verlander was strong, accurate, and composed for nine innings while facing a solid line-up that ranks in the middle of the pack in just about every statistical category.
In interviews Verlander said that he and Pitching Coach Rick Knapp had discussed that all he had to do is harness the good stuff he had been bringing to the mound lately and special things could happen. Well, they did.
Justin Verlander now becomes just the 28th pitcher in the history of Major League baseball to throw more than one no-hitter. At least ten of the pitchers on the list are members of the Hall of Fame.
Last year Roy Halladay joined the list by throwing two (one of them a perfect game) in a single season and the Mark Buehrle entered the ranks of the greats in 2009 with his perfect game after throwing a no-no to beat Texas in 2007.
It looks like Verlander’s next no-hitter is going to have to be of the perfecto variety just so he can keep up with his peers…
If the equation really is as simple as keeping composed and harnessing his already great stuff, there truly could be more such performances coming from the 28 year old righty. (If only it really were that easy)
In all seriousness, I would not be at all surprised if Verlander finished his career at or above Sandy Koufax territory. He truly is that big of a talent.
NateWorthy Notes:
Pitchers with more than one No-Hitter – LINK
