Texas Rangers starter Yu Darvish again came oh-so-close to twirling a no-hitter.
Darvish was one out away from completing a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night in Arlington, but David Ortiz had other plans. Ortiz broke up Darvish’s no-no with two outs in the ninth inning on a single past the Rangers’ infield shift and into right field.
It marked the second time in Darvish’s career that he fell one out short of a no-hitter. The Japanese right-hander also lost a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros on April 2, 2013.
Like that 2013 outing, Darvish was lifted immediately following his opponent’s first hit. Darvish exited Friday’s gem after striking out 12 and walking two over 8 2/3 innings. He threw 126 pitches (82 strikes) in the Rangers’ 8-0 win.
Darvish actually carried a perfect game into the seventh inning, but that bid was broken up on a strange play in which a popup fell between second baseman Rougned Odor and right fielder Alex Rios. The play was scored an error, though the ruling could have gone either way.
