Detroit Tigers ace Anibal Sanchez was phenomenal on Friday night, nearly throwing the second no-hitter of his career in a 6-0 win over the Minnesota Twins (via SportsCenter).
Sanchez threw 130 pitches, striking out 12 and getting plenty of run support from Miguel Cabrera and company as the Tigers picked up their fourth consecutive win, sending the reeling Twins to their 10th straight loss in the process.
Sanchez was just two outs away when Joe Mauer singled to shallow center, deflating the crowd inside Comerica Park and breaking up the no-hit bid.
It’s been nearly seven years since Sanchez accomplished the feat. He threw the only no-hitter of his career as a member of the Florida Marlins in September 2006, striking out six in a 2-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Minnesota’s starting pitcher, Samuel Deduno wasn’t quite as fortunate as Sanchez on Friday, allowing nine hits and six earned runs in a little over five innings pitched.
Sanchez has made 10 starts for Detroit this season, boasting a 5-4 record. Although his ERA was decent coming into Friday’s game, his season prior to this performance had been mired in inconsistency on the mound.
This stat from Bleacher Report MLB writer Zachary Rymer tells the tale:
A native of Maracay, Venezuela, the 29-year-old Sanchez played for the Marlins from 2006 to 2012 before being traded to Detroit last summer.
The win helps the Tigers keep pace with the Cleveland Indians in the American League Central Division as they improve to 27-19 overall and 15-7 at home.
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