Detroit Tigers pitcher Matt Boyd nearly made history today at Comerica Park, losing a no-hit bid in the top of the 9th inning against the Chicago White Sox with just one more out to go.
White Sox SS Tim Anderson breaks up Tigers LHP Matt Boyd's no-hit bid with a 2-out double in the 9th. https://t.co/NOFHbNE3rq
— MLB (@MLB) September 17, 2017
He lost out on history when White Sox SS Tim Anderson hit a 2-out double. He was, however, credited with the complete game shutout.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gisnB2Rj7c4
Boyd nearly joined George Mullin (1912), Virgil Trucks (twice in 1952), Jim Bunning (1958), Jack Morris (1984), and Justin Verlander (2007, 2011) as the only Tigers pitchers to have ever tossed a no-no. Verlander threw Detroit’s last no-hitter on May 7, 2011, against the Blue Jays in Toronto. He also has the last no-hitter at Comerica Park against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Boyd is in his third year in the Tigers organization, and attended college at Oregon State.
A phenomenal day for Matt Boyd! One Hitters TOTALLY deserve a #CoolerBath. We recap his almost historic day NOW on #Tigers LIVE! 🐯⚾️💦 pic.twitter.com/KzhOR8jC0E
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) September 17, 2017
It’s also worth noting that Boyd would have been the first left-handed pitcher in franchise history to accomplish the feat. Entering the matinee on Sunday, the White Sox had accumulated 50 total hits in the first three games of the weekend series, half of which came in Thursday’s 17-7 rout over the Tigers.
Miami’s Edinson Volquez has thrown the only other no-hitter this season.
Detroit, thanks for having r back for all 27 outs! Our whole team played great, everyone made plays, and Doc called a great game! #GoTigers
— Matthew Boyd (@mattboyd48) September 17, 2017
Boyd after the game shared some of his thoughts and what was going through his head, and what pitching coach Rich Dubee told him after giving up the double to Tim Anderson.
“(Dubee) said, ‘Good job. Great run. Now attack this hitter right here,'” Boyd recalled.
“I’m grateful,” Boyd said. “It was awesome.”
He also talked about not only when and if he was aware of the ongoing no-no, but also if he felt any added adrenaline or nerves.
“That’s just when you become even more entrenched in the process of attacking it one pitch at a time. You just lock in even more,” Boyd said.
Matt Boyd is one of several young pitchers that are effectively auditioning down the stretch for the Tigers in September and putting themselves out there for the coaching staff as the team looks toward 2018 and beyond.
