Josh Harrison breaks up Justin Verlander's no-hit bid in ninth

Tigers ace Justin Verlander came within two outs of throwing his third career no-hitter.

Tigers uber-ace Justin Verlander was just two outs from his third career no-hitter when Pirates DH Josh Harrison bounced an outside breaking ball into center for the first hit of the game. Verlander just missed becoming the sixth pitcher in major-league history to throw three or more no-hitters. He would've joined Nolan Ryan (7), Sandy Koufax (4), Bob Feller (3), Larry Corcoran (3), and Cy Young (3).

On the night, Verlander struck out 12 and walked two. Of his 109 pitches, 76 were for strikes. At one point he retired 18 straight, and he hit 100 mph on the radar gun with his 93rd pitch of the night. For his efforts, Verlander lowered his 2012 ERA to 2.14. Oh, and the Tigers won the game 6-0.

It must be asked: would Harrison, the DH on this night, have been in the lineup had the game been in Pittsburgh? Also: Justin Verlander is awesome.

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