Vintage Verlander falls just shy of 4th career no-hitter

MINNEAPOLIS — Just when you think Justin Verlander can’t get any more dominant, he does something to remind us why he’s one of the best pitchers of his generation. 

Verlander continued his torrid start to the season in the Astros’ 5-0 win over the Twins on Tuesday night at Target Field by carrying a no-hitter into the eighth inning before Gio Urshela broke up the no-hit bid with a single to right field with one out in the inning. Verlander finished with eight scoreless innings, walking two while facing the minimum 24 batters. 

The Astros, winners of eight games in a row, have posted four shutouts during their eight-game winning streak. 

Verlander, 39, missed the entire 2021 season following Tommy John surgery and had thrown only one game in the previous two seasons. Following a grueling rehab, Verlander dominated in his return to the mound this year, posting a 1.55 ERA, .150 opponents’ batting average and 0.64 WHIP in his first six starts.

On Tuesday, Verlander had plenty of help from his defense. Michael Brantley made a nice diving catch in left field to rob Gary Sánchez of a hit to end the first. Third baseman Alex Bregman made a charging barehanded grab on an Urshela roller in the second and threw him out. 

Perhaps the best defensive play, though, came in the sixth. Gilberto Celestino walked with two outs and tried to advance to second base on a ball that popped out of the glove of catcher Martín Maldonado, who threw a dart to Jeremy Peña covering second for the out. The throw was clocked at 85 mph.