Tigers P Verlander throws no-hitter against the Brewers

Jun 13, 2007 - 9:28 AM DETROIT (Ticker) -- Justin Verlander etched his name in the record book next to one of the Detroit Tigers' all-time greats.

The 24-year-old righthander pitched a no-hitter for the Tigers against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday while striking out a career-high 12 batters.

Verlander is the second pitcher this season to accomplish the feat and the first Tiger since the legendary Jack Morris on April 7, 1984. It also is the first no-hitter at Comerica Park.

The 2006 Rookie of the Year's effort is the second no-hitter in the majors this season. Chicago White Sox lefthander Mark Buehrle tossed one against the Texas Rangers on April 18.

Verlander (7-2) faced three batters over the minimum in his second career complete game. He struck out the first two batters in the ninth before J.J. Hardy flied out to right field on an 0-2 pitch to end it, sparking a wild celebration in the middle of the diamond.

"I didn't even see the last out," Verlander said. "(Catcher Ivan Rodriguez) was hugging me and yelling in my ear that I couldn't turn around and see (right fielder Magglio Ordonez) catch the ball."

The 235th no-hitter in major league history is the sixth in Tigers' franchise history.

"I really didn't think about the no-hitter until the last out," Verlander said. "Anyone of those hitters could have broken it up with one swing. Just before that last pitch, I stepped off the mound to calm down a little.

"My last pitch was up and I didn't want to make the same mistake again. The last out was the most memorable thing of the night for me."

Verlander walked three batters and received some good defense in the seventh, when right fielder Magglio Ordonez made a sliding catch coming in on a ball hit by Corey Hart.

"When I saw the ball hit, I ran really hard," Ordonez said. "I was able to catch it with the slide."

"He had great stuff," a visibly choked-up Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "I'm very happy for him, he's something very special. This is something he can take with him forever."

Brandon Inge gave Verlander all the runs they needed with a solo homer in the first inning off Milwaukee starter Jeff Suppan.