(Detroit) Matt Manning wasn’t mad at being substituted on the mound even though he still hadn’t conceded a hit.
He said he didn’t realize the state of the situation until he got to the shelter.
“I had no idea,” he said. I was surprised. »
By the end of the game, everyone gathered at Comerica Park knew of the feat accomplished by Manning and relievers Jason Foley and Alex Lange.
All three pitchers combined for a scoreless, hitless game in a 2-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon.
Manning (3-1) went six and two-thirds innings, then Foley struck out four in a row.
Lange came to the mound for the ninth inning. He retired Bo Bichette on three-shot catches. Brandon Belt hit a fly ball to center field, then Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded to third base.
This is the ninth game without a run or hit for the Tigers, but the first when several pitchers must combine their efforts.
It is also the second game without a point or hit in the Majors this season. Domingo German had a perfect game for the New York Yankees on June 28 against the Oakland Athletics.
Tigers players gathered around the mound to celebrate after the final out.
Manning walked three and struck out five. He was substituted after walking Cavan Biggio after two outs in the top of the seventh inning. He made 91 shots.
“He had worked hard,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. I almost took it out after the fifth, then after the sixth. I let it go back to the mound for the seventh, but wanted to take it off as soon as a runner hit the trails. We had to make sure we won the game. »
Foley retired Whit Merrifield to finish seventh. He was perfect in eighth.
“I thought ‘Matty’ was going to throw all game, but I took over and wanted to throw strikes,” he said. It’s quite special and I’m proud to be able to share the achievement with these two guys. »
The Blue Jays’ offensive failures spoiled another good outing by Kevin Gausman (7-5). The Jays pitching ace allowed two runs, five hits and two walks in six innings of work. He had seven strikeouts.
The Tigers scored their two runs in the first inning. Riley Greene scored on a double from Spencer Torkelson. Then Torkelson crossed home on a Carpenter triple.
Manning was helped by two spectacular defensive plays. Right fielder Kerry Carpenter slid to catch a ball hit hard by Guerrero into foul territory in the fourth inning. Then, shortstop Javier Baez ran to catch a fly ball from Bo Bichette to left field in the sixth inning.
“You have to tip your hat. They threw well and made good defensive plays,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.
The start of the match was delayed by one hour 22 minutes due to rain.
Prior to the game, the Blue Jays placed outfielder George Springer on the paternity leave list and recalled Nathan Lukes from their AAA-level farm club.