No history for Guards, but a much needed win

Parker Messic took a no-hitter into the ninth inning but the rookie pitching sensation gave up a hit on the first pitch of the inning. He ended up with a two-hitter and a win as Cleveland knocked off the Baltimore Orioles 4-2.

Messick improved to 3-0. The rookie lefty was dominant through the first eight innings, not allowing a hit and striking out nine.

Messick was attempting to become the first Cleveland pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Len Barker threw his perfect game in May of 1981.

But the Orioles' Leony Taveras played the role of spoiler as he drove the first pitch by Messic in the ninth inning past second baseman Juan Brito to give the Orioles their first hit of the game.

Messick would allow another hit before exiting.

Cade Smith came on and got three out to record the save but it wasn't pretty.  Smith gave up two hits and the Orioles put the tying runs on second and third before he was able to retire pinch-hitter Clyde Clowser on a shallow flyball to center field for the second out. Then Brito made a great play to save the game. Samuel Basallo smashed a ball to the right side of the infield that Brito was able to field from the seat of his pants. He was able to get off a throw that bounced to first and was plucked by Cleveland first baseman Kyle Manzardo on a nifty backhand play.

All's well that ends well, as the saying goes.

Cleveland got off to a 2-0 lead on Jose Ramierez's two-run home run in the first inning.

Cleveland added single runs in the fifth and sixth inning.

The game was the first of a seven-game homestand and was played in front of 14,748 on a partly cloudy night with a temperature of 65 degrees at first pitch.

Ramirez and George Valera enjoyed two-hit nights. Valera  drove in a run. 

Cleveland improved to 11-9 with the win and ended its first two-game losing streak of the season.

The Orioles Shane Baz was saddled with the loss. He was tagged for the early homer by Ramierez but pitched well. He allowed six hits and earned four runs over six innings while striking out six and walking three.

Personal note on no-nos

The Cleveland baseball franchise has not had a no-hitter since 1981. Len Barker, The Perfect Game in 1981. I remember watching the beginning of the game, but did not see him complete the perfect game. 

I listened on the radio  to vast portions of Dick Bosman's no-hitter of the Oakland A's on July 19, 1974. I recall vividly I went out to a family dinner at the original Heck's after Bosom's no-no.

I also recall listening to Dennis Eckersley no-hit the then California Angels May 30, 1977 a Memorial Day Monday night for the ages.


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