On a 0-2 count in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs, Cleveland Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco surrendered his first hit of the evening — a line drive shot over the head of the leaping Jason Kipnis at second base.
Had Carrasco tossed just one more strike to end the game, he would’ve become the first Indians pitcher since 1981 to hurl a no-hitter, according to ESPN .
For the season, Carlos boasts a 10-6 record, with a 3.88 earned run average, to go along with 110 strikeouts through 97 and 1/3 innings pitched .
Cleveland beat the Tampa Bay Rays by a score of 8-1, as Carrasco recorded 13 punchouts.
Here is Carlos’ reaction after the lone hit by the Rays’ Joey Butler.
One hit. Carlos Carrasco = Boss. pic.twitter.com/T3YsJMMT7l
— #VoteKip #VoteTribe (@Indians) July 2, 2015
Here are the immediate reactions from Twitter.
Carlos Carrasco induced 30 swings and misses, most in a game this season. Max Scherzer had 27 in his one-hit, 16-K game against Mil.
— David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield) July 2, 2015
Fitting that Carlos Carrasco’s gem comes against a team managed by Kevin Cash, the man Carrasco credits for his turnaround last year.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) July 2, 2015
Cleveland pitcher Carlos Carrasco smiles & applauds Rays Joey Butler, when he spoils his no hitter with 2 outs in the 9th. How cool is that? — John McCauley (@jedwardmacjr) July 2, 2015
So proud of Carlos carrasco…ex blueclaws player — tracey adler (@traceyadler) July 2, 2015
Carlos Carrasco on what he did when Joey Butler single with two-out in the 9th to ruin his no-hitter: “I started laughing.” — paul hoynes (@hoynsie) July 2, 2015
Bravo Carlos Carrasco! #Vaya manera de alcanzar diez victorias en 2015! — César Maldonado (@El_Ciudadano007) July 2, 2015
Carlos Carrasco spoke at the camp my kids attended last year. Really good guy. Was hoping he’d pull it off — Matt McCoy (@MattMcCoyWTVN) July 2, 2015
I feel like Carlos Carrasco’s cookie shirt should have the Cookie Monster on it. Or a cookie. Can we make that happen local t-shirt guys? — Lindsey Foltin (@LindseyBaseball) July 2, 2015
Carlos Carrasco was SO GOOD tonight. pic.twitter.com/D1rGNJPUBZ
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) July 2, 2015
Damn! Sports should always be played like the disappointment that Carlos Carrasco is showing. Proud of himself, appreciative of teammates.
— Mike Brandyberry (@didtribewin) July 2, 2015
SO CLOSE. ONE OUT AWAY. ONE STRIKE AWAY. Still an INCREDIBLE performance from Carlos Carrasco
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 2, 2015
Carlos Carrasco was a part of the Phillies at one point in his life. Thanks Ruben
— Lemmiwinks™ (@AHerm33) July 2, 2015
Carlos Carrasco… Gr8 game pitched, I was pulling for you buddy.. awesome performance Sir…. #Indians #MLB
— MoneyLine Sports (@money_sports1) July 2, 2015
Earlier this season, Carlos was struck by a line drive in which he suffered a bruised jaw, as the Inquisitr previously noted.
For his career, Carrasco boasts a record of 28-32, with a 4.28 ERA, according to Baseball Reference .
Three perfect games, and two no-hitters have been thrown against the Rays since their inception in 1998. Carrasco came close, but close just won’t cut it.
Hats off to No. 59 of the Indians. Exceptional performance.
[Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images]
