The tenth straight loss for the Minnesota Twins could have happened in a more embarrassing fashion, but not by much.
Tigers right-hander Anibal Sanchez was two outs away from a no-hitter until he gave up a first-pitch single to Joe Mauer in the top of the ninth inning.
Despite missing the no-hitter by one pitch, Sanchez finished with a complete game one-hit shutout. He struck out 12 and walked three. After allowing the single to Mauer, Sanchez roared back and struck out Josh Willingham and Justin Morneau to finish the game.
It was almost the second career no-hitter for Sanchez, who pitched his first as a rookie with the Florida Marlins in 2007.
Look what Sanchez did against the Twins’ lineup.
Jamey Carroll: 0-2, walk, 2 K
Joe Mauer: 1-4, single in the ninth inning, 2 K
Josh Willingham: 0-4, 2K
Justin Morneau: 0-4, 2 K
Oswaldo Arcia: 0-3, 1 K
Chris Parmelee: 0-3, walk
Eduardo Escobar: 0-2, walk, 1 K
Aaron Hicks: 0-2, 1 K
Brian Dozier: 0-2
Ryan Doumit: 0-1
Chris Colabello: 0-1, 1 K
Mauer breaking up no-hitters in the 9th:
5/6/08 at Chicago (Floyd)
8/23/10 at Texas (Harden/bullpen)
5/24/13 at Detroit (Sanchez)— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) May 25, 2013
It was almost the the sixth time the Twins have been no-hit. Take a look at the previous pitchers to throw no-hitters against the Twins.
May 8, 1968: Catfish Hunter, Oakland Athletics
September 21, 1970: Vida Blue, Oakland Athletics
September 28, 1974: Nolan Ryan, California Angels
May 17, 1998: David Wells, New York Yankess (Perfect Game)
May 2, 2012: Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Per FOX Sports North, it’s the 28th time in franchise history the Twins have been held to one hit.
Samuel Deduno’s 2013 debut didn’t go well Twins. The right-hander gave up six earned runs over 5 1/3 innings. He allowed nine hits, three walks and struck out two.
Note: Outfielder Oswaldo Arcia was optioned to Triple-A Rochester following the game. The move makes room for starting pitcher P.J. Walters, who will make his season debut Saturday.
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