The Atlanta Braves were one out away from securing the franchise's first no-hitter since 1994 on Saturday against the New York Mets. But Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias surrendered a home run to J.D. Martinez that broke up the no-hit bid as well as the shutout. It kept the Braves' no-hitter drought -- the fourth-longest in MLB -- intact.
Here's a look at Martinez's home run, which came on the first pitch he saw:
Braves left-hander Max Fried delivered seven no-hit innings to start the game, striking out five batters and walking three on 109 pitches. Reliever Joe Jimenez did his part in the eighth, posting a hit-less frame around two walks. Iglesias then retired Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso before Martinez delivered his home run. It was the fifth time since 2018 a no-no was broken up with two outs in the ninth. Notably, it was the second time it happened against the Braves.
Martinez was a fitting Met to break up the effort. He was robbed earlier in the game by center fielder Michael Harris II on a ball that had a 105.4 mph exit velocity:
The Braves' most recent no-no remains April 8, 1994, when Kent Mercker delivered one against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mercker was also involved in Atlanta's only other no-hitter in recent memory: a joint effort back in 1991 against the San Diego Padres. Otherwise, the Braves have not recorded a no-hitter without Mercker taking part since Phil Niekro did it in 1973 against the aforementioned Padres.
Saturday's effort would have been the 15th overall no-hitter in Braves history. Additionally, it would have been the 324th in Major League Baseball history, as well as the second this season. Back on April 1, Houston Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco delivered the year's only no-hitter to date against the Toronto Blue Jays. It would've served, too, as the 21st ever combined no-no, and the first since the Detroit Tigers blanked the Blue Jays last July.
Fried, 30, entered Saturday with seasonal marks that included a 4.23 ERA (98 ERA+) and a 2.29 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his first seven starts. He's a one-time All-Star who received Cy Young Award consideration in both 2020 and 2022.
