Justin Verlander lost a bid for his third no-hitter when Chris Iannetta lined a leadoff double in the ninth inning that landed on the left-field line as the Detroit Tigers beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-0 on Wednesday night.
Trying to become the sixth major leaguer to throw three no-hitters, Verlander settled instead for a one-hit shutout.
He was an inch away from so much more.
Photo: AP
Iannetta’s shot, just barely fair, kicked up chalk and rolled into the left-field corner. Verlander attempted to will it foul with body English, then arched his back in disappointment after the ball hit right on the line.
Verlander (2-6) retired the next three batters to finish his seventh career shutout and first since May 18, 2012, against Pittsburgh. The right-hander struck out nine and walked two in his first win since July 29.
He faced only 28 hitters — one more than the minimum — after inducing double plays following both walks.
ASTROS 6, YANKEES 2
In New York, Evan Gattis hit two home runs, Collin McHugh excelled once again as the Houston Astros exceeded last season’s win total, beating the New York Yankees.
The AL West leaders improved to 71-57, a year after going 70-92. With 34 games left on the schedule, the Astros already have achieved their best season since 2010.
The Yankees have lost five of seven, a slide that has cost them first place in the AL East.
McHugh (14-7) kept up a recent run of ace pitching, both for himself and the team with the top ERA in the league. Houston have won seven of nine, not permitting more than two runs in any game.
McHugh shut out the Yankees until Didi Gregorius hit a two-run homer in the seventh. He outpitched Michael Pineda (9-8) for the second time this year, and has allowed just seven runs in his last five starts.
BLUE JAYS 12, RANGERS 4
In Arlington, Texas, Edwin Encarnacion hit a grand slam to extend his hitting streak to 21 games, helping David Price get a win on his 30th birthday in Toronto’s win over Texas.
Encarnacion sent his 26th homer into the Blue Jays’ bullpen in left-center after Kevin Pillar opened a six-run sixth inning with a long ball that chased starter Colby Lewis (14-6).
Lewis issued four of a season-high 11 walks by Rangers pitchers.
Pitching on his birthday for the first time in the majors, Price (13-4) threw five scoreless innings after allowing Adrian Beltre’s two-run homer in the first.
The AL East-leading Blue Jays won their fifth straight, while the Rangers dropped a half-game behind Minnesota in the race for the second AL wild card.
Jose Bautista walked four times and scored twice as Toronto went two games up in the division on the New York Yankees. The Astros moved 5.5 games ahead of Texas atop the AL West.
In other MLB action, it was:
‧ Giants 4, Cubs 2
‧ Cardinals 3, Diamondbacks 1
‧ Pirates 7, Marlins 2
‧ Mets 9, Phillies 4
‧ Twins 5, Rays 3
‧ Dodgers 7, Reds 4
‧ Padres 6, Nationals 5
‧ Orioles 8, Royals 5
‧ Rockies 6, Braves 3
‧ Red Sox 3, White Sox 0
‧ Mariners 8, Athletics 2
‧ Indians 6, Brewers 2
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