The Astros had a no-hitter through eight frames as they faced the Philadelphia. It took 1:14 for it to happen.
After capping his magnificent comeback season with another stellar start Tuesday night, Verlander was too busy looking ahead to reflect on what he's accomplished already
If I was happy with where I finish the season, I wouldn't be who I am today. He said that he was already preparing himself for the playoffs. I know how good the numbers are and I appreciate it.
In Houston's win over Philadelphia, Verlander struck out 10 without allowing a hit, and the Astros' relief corps kept the Phils hitless until the ninth.
Verlander, who has three no-hitters in his career, was pulled after 77 pitches. At that point, the Astros were leading the NL wild-card team by eight points.
The manager said it was great to have him on the mound. Baseball is excited when he's on the mound on a national stage. He's one of the pitchers.
Hunter Brown was the only one to hit the ball in the game, and he was the only one to get two outs. The crowd booed Will Smith when he came on for the ninth to break up the no-hitter.
There is a chance of a no-hitter in the fifth. You begin to count the outs. The guys that came in wanted to be involved.
It did not work out. It wasn't our day.
In their 1,000th win at Minute Maid Park, the Astros got homers from Jeremy Pea, Kyle Tucker, and Martn Maldonado in the first two frames to build a big lead.
Verlander's 1.75 earned run average is the lowest for a qualified pitcher in the American League since 2000.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner's 2.40 earned run average is the lowest of his career, bettering his 2.40 in 2011.
After returning to form following Tommy John surgery, Verlander is a top contender to win the award for a third time this season.
"To me, this is not what I had in mind, but what I expected to happen," he said. I didn't know how good the season would be, but I knew I would be myself when I was healthy.
Verlander set a career-high and tied a franchise record by fanning eight in a row in the first.
He struck out eight times when he got Darick Hall. After striking out the side in the second and third, he struck out the outfielder in the fourth. After Alec Bohm grounded out, the streak came to an end. Brandon Marsh walked to start the fifth.
He got right back on track, retiring Nick Maton before Matt Vierling grounded into a force-out. Verlander tipped his cap to the crowd as he walked off the field after getting a nice reception.
The top of his fingers bled when he "clicking it" on his glove. It wasn't serious and Verlander didn't see a reason to push it at this point.
The Philadelphia lineup was missing many of their regulars after they secured their first playoff spot in five years.
Pea hit a home run after Jose Altuve hit a double. Alex Bregman walked after Yordan's double off the wall in left field.
Tucker hit a ball to the seats in right field to make it a five-run game.
When he opened Houston's second with his shot, the score was 6-0.
Jeff Bagwell was the only player in franchise history to have at least 30 homers, 25 stolen bases and 100 runs in a season, but Tucker is the only one to have 30 homers, 25 stolen bases and 100 runs this year.
The pitcher gave up seven hits and six runs, with a career-high three homers in three pitches.
In the sixth, Christian Vazquez and Mauricio Dubon each hit a single.
No-hits this season.
Two combined no-hitters have been recorded this season.
In May, the Los Angeles Angels had a hitless month. The New York Mets and Astros had no-hitters against the Philadelphia and New York Yankees, respectively.
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