Barely a week after Domingo German’s perfect game, there is a second no-hitter in 2023.
The Tigers tossed a combined no-no in a 2-0 victory against the Blue Jays on Saturday, with Matt Manning, Jason Foley and Alex Lange all contributing to the franchise’s first no-hitter since Spencer Turnbull in 2021.
“Man, holy s–t,” Lange said in an on-field interview with Bally Sports after he got Vladimir Guerrerro Jr. to ground out to end the game. “How about that?”
Manning was removed from the game after walking Cavan Biggio in the seventh, but Foley quickly removed the threat by getting Whit Merrifield to line out.
He then worked a 1-2-3 eighth before Lange worked a 1-2-3 ninth.
It is the ninth no-hitter in Tigers history and the first combined effort thrown by the club. It is also the 20th combined no-hitter in league history, with the last one coming from the Astros in the World Series last year.
“I feel good now,” Manning told Bally Sports Detroit. “Not three guys I’d rather do it with.
“Something special tonight. It was awesome.”
Manning finished the day with five strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings in just his fifth start of the year.
The Tigers, despite holding a 39-49 record, are just five games out of the AL Central lead with the win, as the Guardians and Twins are tied for the top slot with .500 records.
What happened on Saturday, though, transcends what will likely become a forgettable season.
“Just execution right from the get-go,” catcher Eric Haase said to Bally Sports Detroit. “Keeping guys uncomfortable. … Right around the sixth, started counting outs a little bit.”