SEATTLE — Detroit Tigers right-hander Spencer Turnbull threw a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners in a 5-0 win Tuesday night, marking the fifth no-hitter of the major league season.
Turnbull had nine strikeouts, relying heavily on his fastball but mixing in a strong slider to keep Seattle shut down. He threw 117 pitches, including 77 strikes.
Only two runners reached base against Turnbull: Jarred Kelenic walked leading off the fourth inning, and Jose Marmolejos walked leading off the ninth.
“It’s just surreal,” Turnbull said. “I don’t have words right now. Probably the best day in my life.”
Mitch Haniger was the closest to a hit for the Mariners, flying out to the wall in center field in the fourth inning. Haniger also was robbed of a hit by a diving stop from third baseman Jeimer Candelario leading off the seventh. The ball was recorded at 108 mph off Haniger’s bat, but Candelario snagged the one-hopper and made a strong throw to first base.
Turnbull completed the eighth no-hitter in Tigers’ history, and the first since Justin Verlander on May 7, 2011, against Toronto. Tuesday’s game marked the first time Turnbull pitched more than seven innings in 49 career starts.
The Mariners became the fifth team since 1900 to be no-hit twice in a month, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. They were no-hit earlier this month by Baltimore’s John Means. Cleveland’s Zach Plesac threatened to toss a no-no last week against the Mariners before it was broken up in the eighth inning.
There have been 10 games this season in which a pitcher took a no-hitter into at least the seventh inning.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.