Justin Verlander: Detroit Tigers Ace Tosses No-Hitter vs Toronto Blue Jays

Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander posted his second career no-hitter tonight, shutting down the Toronto Blue Jays 9-0. The win improves Verlander’s record to 3-3 on the season, though he’s pitched better than those numbers suggest (3.75 ERA coming into today’s game).

In 2007, Verlander gave the Tigers their first home no-hitter in more than half a century by dominating the Milwaukee Brewers at Comerica Park. He now has a road no-no to match it, as he allowed just one baserunner (an eighth-inning walk to J.P. Arencibia) at the Rogers Centre this afternoon.

Verlander finished off his no-hitter with his fourth strikeout of the game, fanning Rajai Davis on a 3-2 pitch. Ricky Romero got rocked for six runs in 3.1 innings to take the loss for the Jays.

Verlander becomes the second pitcher in Detroit history to record two no-hitters, joining 1950s star Virgil Trucks, who was also the last Tiger before Verlander to throw a no-hitter at home.

Homers from Jhonny Peralta and Alex Avila ensured that Verlander wouldn’t be lacking for run support today. He needed just 108 pitches to complete the victory, thanks in part to some solid defensive work behind him.

Twelve of Verlander’s 108 pitches came in walking Arencibia, who was immediately erased on a double-play grounder from Edwin Encarnacion.

As he’s only 28, Verlander may not have thrown his last no-hitter. Only 24 pitchers in major league history can match his career total of two, but he could easily move up that list before he’s done.