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Parker Messick’s bid for first Cleveland no-hitter since 1981 ends in heartbreak
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- Parker Messick’s bid for first Cleveland no-hitter since 1981 ends in heartbreak
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The Cleveland Guardians are searching for their first World Series victory in more than 77 years , but there is another franchise drought that fans would also love to see end. Left-handed starting pitcher Parker Messick needed three outs to complete the team's first conventional no-hitter since Len Barker tossed one in 1981, but he could not finish the quest.
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The 2022 second-round draft pick, who entered the final frame with a 100-plus pitch count, immediately allowed a single to Baltimore Orioles center fielder Leody Taveras . Infielder Blaze Alexander then notched a base-hit of his own, and a historic outing quickly descended into a late-game jam. Messick was pulled in favor of closer Cade Smith , but he was ultimately charged with two runs following a Gunnar Henderson sacrifice fly and a Pete Alonso double.
Although Cleveland's wait will continue, the rookie southpaw keeps dominating on the mound. He struck out nine batters and recorded two walks in the Guards' 4-2 series-opening victory versus the Orioles.
Before running out of gas in the ninth, Messick had been nearly unstoppable since surrendering a home run to Chicago Cubs utility man Matt Shaw in the third inning of his season debut on April 5. He is 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA and 25 strikeouts through 25 2/3 innings of work. Cleveland has high hopes for the 25-year-old, but few people could have anticipated such a spectacular start to his MLB career.
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If the Guardians are going to three-peat as American League Central champions, Parker Messick will probably be a key reason why. While fans understandably drool over rookie slugger Chase DeLauter , this Florida native could be the X-factor of Cleveland's pitching staff.
Another deep playoff run certainly means more to this city than a no-hitter dry spell.
Related: Guardians starter draws Stephen Vogt truth bomb after loss to Cardinals
