Guardians pitcher Parker Messick's no-hitter bid ends in 9th inning

Guardians pitcher Parker Messick almost threw a no-hitter, going into the 9th inning. This is the longest no-hit bid this season.
By Newsroom | Sports, Baseball |

Cleveland Holds On Despite Late Oriole Single

Cleveland, OH - Rookie pitcher Parker Messick of the Cleveland Guardians came agonizingly close to etching his name in baseball history on Thursday night, carrying a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles. His bid, however, crumbled in the final frame, ultimately falling short of ending the Guardians' 45-year drought without a no-hitter. The Guardians secured a 4-2 win in a contest marked by Messick's near-perfect performance.

Messick's near-perfect outing, spanning eight-plus innings, saw him face just one batter over the minimum before a single broken up the no-hit bid. This pivotal moment occurred when Leody Taveras led off the ninth with a grounder that narrowly evaded the outstretched glove of second baseman Juan Brito, rolling into right field.

Messick, making his 11th major league start, exited the game having allowed two earned runs. His impressive performance included nine strikeouts and two walks over a career-long eight-plus innings. This near-historical feat also marked the longest no-hit bid of the current baseball season.

Read More: Guardians Beat Orioles 4-2 After Near No-Hitter by Messick

"That was very special, what we got to watch tonight," said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. "That's an unbelievably talented lineup that he took a no-hitter into the ninth against."

The offensive spark for Cleveland came from Jose Ramirez, who contributed with his third home run in his last four games. The Guardians' bullpen ultimately closed out the game, with Smith retiring pinch hitter Colton Cowser and Samuel Basallo to secure his fourth save.

Messick's performance is a stark reminder of baseball's enduring allure, where the near-perfect is often just out of reach. The game concluded with a final score of 4-2 in favor of the Guardians.

Context of the Drought

The narrative of Messick's near no-hitter is inextricably linked to Cleveland's lengthy absence of such an achievement, a drought stretching back to 1981. While not the longest in baseball history, it is the longest current gap. The last no-hitter in Major League Baseball occurred on September 15, 2026, when Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Oriole's single, a cutter at 90.5 mph with an exit velocity of 103.5 mph, was the singular event that prevented Messick from achieving this rare feat.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Did Parker Messick throw a no-hitter for the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday?
No, Parker Messick did not throw a no-hitter. He carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles but allowed a single. The Guardians still won the game 4-2.
Q: When was the last time the Cleveland Guardians had a no-hitter?
The Cleveland Guardians have not had a no-hitter since 1981. Parker Messick's near no-hitter on Thursday was the longest no-hit bid for the Guardians in many years.
Q: What happened in the ninth inning of the Guardians vs. Orioles game?
In the ninth inning, Leody Taveras of the Orioles hit a single that broke up Parker Messick's no-hitter. Messick had pitched over eight innings without allowing a hit before this.
Q: How did the Guardians vs. Orioles game end?
The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Baltimore Orioles with a final score of 4-2. The Guardians bullpen closed out the game after Messick exited.