Guardians Pitcher Aims for First No-Hitter of Season

In a remarkable display of pitching prowess, the Cleveland Guardians' 25-year-old left-hander Messick is currently attempting to throw the major leagues' first no-hitter of the season. As of Thursday night, he had thrown 72 pitches, fanning eight batters and issuing just two walks, with the Guardians leading 3-0. This outing represents Messick's 11th career start since being drafted out of Florida State in 2022. He entered the game with an impressive 5-1 career record and a 2.04 ERA, showcasing his potential. Earlier this season, he was 2-0 with a mere 0.51 ERA in his initial three starts.

The Guardians' offense has provided crucial support for Messick's historic bid. A two-run homer in the first inning and an RBI single in the fifth have given him a comfortable lead. Cleveland holds the distinction of having the longest gap between no-hitters in the league; their last was Len Barker's perfect game on May 15, 1981. Other near no-hitters include Carlos Carrasco's 8 2/3 innings in 2015 and Gavin Williams' 8 1/3 innings last season.