SPORTS

Rookie Messick nearly breaks Guardians' long no-hitter drought

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Cleveland. Rookie left-hander Parker Messick carried a no-hit bid into the ninth inning Thursday, and the Guardians beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 after Leody Taveras led off the ninth with a ground-ball single that eluded the infield. Messick faced one batter over the minimum before Blaze Alexander’s subsequent single ended the bid and the starter was removed. Fans of 14,748 gave Messick a standing ovation as he left the mound; he said, “I did my best. Maybe next time.” Cleveland’s franchise no-hitter drought, last ended by Len Barker on May 15, 1981, remains intact. Baltimore again avoided history in the ninth, continuing recent late-inning offensive resistance documented in prior seasons.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

May 15, 1981: Len Barker threw a perfect game, Cleveland's most recent no-hitter.
Sept. 13, 2024: Tigers' bullpen entered the ninth without surrendering a hit until Gunnar Henderson broke it up.
Sept. 6 (last season): Yoshinobu Yamamoto came one out away from a no-hitter, broken by Jackson Holliday's homer.
This season (Thursday): Parker Messick carried a no-hit bid into the ninth against the Orioles.
This season (Thursday): Leody Taveras' lead-off ninth-inning single and Blaze Alexander's follow-up ended the bid; Cleveland won 4-2.

Why This Matters to You

This game shows the potential of rookie Parker Messick. It's a reminder of the thrill that baseball can bring, even in a season's late stages. If you're a Guardians fan, it's worth keeping an eye on Messick's future performances.

The Bottom Line

Cleveland's no-hitter drought continues, but Messick's near-miss brings hope. Baltimore's late-inning resistance is also noteworthy. Both teams showed grit and determination, making for an exciting game. Worth forwarding if you know a baseball fan who loves a good underdog story.