In an attempt to become only the third baserunner for the Angels on the day, Aybar laid down a bunt, which bounced back to the mound.  Verlander would eventually throw the ball away, allowing Aybar to reach second base on the error.

Although scorekeepers at Comerica Park recorded Aybar’s bunt as an error, the Angels would eventually record a hit in the inning and score two unearned runs as well, breaking up Verlander’s no-no and cutting the Tigers’ lead to 3-2.  However, it was Aybar’s bunt that seemed to irk Verlander the most in the middle of the eighth inning and at the end of the game.

After recording the final out in the eighth, Verlander had some choice words for Aybar between innings, and following the game he had this to say when asked about Aybar’s attempt to break up his no-no with a bunt:

“Very surprised.  You know, it’s a three-run game.  It’s a close game.  There’s arguments both ways, but from a pitching standpoint we like to call it ‘Bush League’”

So is bunting to break up a no-hitter really “Bush League”?  Does Aybar not have the right to try and get on base by any means necessary with his team trailing by only three runs in an important game (after all, every game is important when you are only two games behind the division leaders)?

If Verlander doesn’t like it, tough luck.  Next time make the throw to first and get the runner out.  Just like Jered Weaver should have avoided giving up home runs if he didn’t like what the Tigers’ batters were doing after hitting them (Weaver was eventually tossed from the game for throwing at Alex Avila’s head).

The object of the game is to get runners on base and attempt to score runs.  Should the Angels abandon that game plan just so Verlander can have his shot at the history books?  I don’t think so, but apparently Verlander does.

Here is a look at Aybar’s bunt, followed by Verlander’s exchange with the Angel’s shortstop between innings.

Francisco Liriano

Keeping the Texas Rangers’ bats quiet has not been an easy task for pitchers around the American League lately, but Liriano was able to do it for seven complete innings, as the Twins’ starter found himself only six outs away from his second no-hitter of the season.  Unfortunately, a 5-run inning for the Twins in the bottom of the seventh gave him too much time to think about his no-hit bid, and he promptly gave up two singles and a run in the top of the eighth.

Liriano failed to become just the fifth pitcher in MLB history to record two no-hitters in a single regular season, but he did pitch eight solid innings, allowing only two hits, one run and no walks while striking out nine, en route to the 6-1 victory.  And while it may no be as rewarding as getting the no-hitter, his performance has earned him “The Stat Line of the Night” for Sunday, June 12, 2011.

Greene struck out ten batters and walked seven in the game.  At the age of 24, he was beginning to show signs of a promising career.  Two seasons later he would lead the Phillies’ starting rotation in wins with a 16-4 record.  He also helped them reach the World Series that season, where they would eventually lose to the Toronto Blue Jays.  However, his career would be cut short due to recurring bouts of tendinitis in his shoulder.  He would finish his career with a 38-25 record, a 4.14 ERA and 461 strikeouts.

Greene’s no-hitter was one of seven thrown during the 1991 season.  The others were recorded by Nolan Ryan, Dennis Martinez, Wilson Alvarez and Bret Saberhagen, as well as team efforts from the Baltimore Orioles and the Atlanta Braves.  Only two months into the 2011 MLB season there have already been two no-hitters recorded.

Here is footage of Justin Verlander finishing off the Blue Jays for the second no-hitter in the Majors this season.

Notable Birthdays

Gary Roberts, NHL – Born on May 23rd, 1966 (age 45) in North York, Ontario

Brian Campbell, NHL – Born on May 23rd, 1979 (age 32) in Strathroy, Ontario

Buck Showalter, MLB – Born on May 23rd, 1956 (age 55) in DeFuniak Springs, Florida

By no means was it the prettiest no-hitter we have ever seen.  In fact, it may have been one of the ugliest we have witnessed in a while, as the Minnesota Twins’ Francisco Liriano allowed zero hits, but dished out a total of six walks and just two strikeouts against the Chicago White Sox batters.  However, the Sox were unable to cash in on their base runners, as Liriano kept his infielders busy with plenty of ground balls throughout the night.

In the end it came down to one final at bat, and when Adam Dunn lined out to shortstop Matt Tolbert, history was made, as Liriano tossed just the fifth no-hitter in Minnesota Twins history.

There was speculation that Liriano would be sent down to the minors, as he entered the game with an atrocious 9.13 ERA in five starts, but it may be safe to say that last night’s performance should help him hold onto his spot in the Twins’ rotation for at least a few more days.

Here is a look at the final out of the first no-hitter for the 2011 MLB season.

Buehrle was flawless, going the complete nine innings without allowing a hit or a walk, and striking out six.  Well maybe flawless is a bit of an overstatement.  After all, he did give up what should have been a home run to Gabe Kapler in the ninth, only to have Dewayne Wise (who Ozzie Guillen inserted in the final inning for defensive purposes) save the day with an over-the-wall catch.  That sealed the victory, shutout, and perfect game, earning Buehrle  “The Stat Line Of The Night” for Thursday, July 23rd, 2009.

This is nothing new for the White Sox pitcher.  Just two seasons ago, Buehrle pitched a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers.  Strangely enough, Eric Cooper was the umpire behind the plate for both games.  Mark must really like his strike zone.