Justin VerlanderHe missed his fourth no-hitter by five runs, but still faced the minimum through eight innings. Houston AstrosBeat the Minnesota TwinsFor their eighth consecutive win, they won 5-0 Tuesday night.
Twins' third baseman Gio UrshelaVerlander was finally defeated when Verlander was singled to the right field with only one out in the eighth. The 39-year-old righthander completed the eighth season after returning from Tommy John surgery. Royce LewisTo ground into a double-play
Verlander was trying to tie Sandy Koufax's record for the second career no-hitter. Nolan Ryan holds that record with seven.
It was Verlander's eighth career no-hit bid of 7-plus innings, which ties him with Randy Johnson for the second-most by any pitcher in the expansion era (since 1961), trailing only Nolan Ryan (23), according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
Verlander's 2022 season has been a great success, despite missing 2021 with an elbow injury that prevented him from pitching one game in 2020. Verlander's Tuesday start brought him to 4-1 and a 1.55 ERA in six starts.
Verlander struck out five times and walked two more on 89 pitches. Blake TaylorHouston's ninth pitching strike.
Verlander was flawless through four innings, before allowing a leadoff walked to Jorge PolancoIn the fifth. Verlander convinced Urshela that she could tap into a double-play one pitch later, to retire Polanco.
The right-hander was able to walk Minnesota's No. 9 hitter, Gilberto CelestinoCelestino was thrown out at second base in the sixth.
This report was contributed by The Associated Press.
