Anibal Sanchez loses no hitter in ninth inning

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez nearly threw the eighth no-hitter in Tigers history on Friday, but Joe Mauer broke up his no-hit bid with two outs to go.

Sanchez started the ninth inning strong, striking out Jamey Carroll to pick up his 10th strikeout of the game. Mauer roped a line-drive single to collect the Twins first hit of the game. The Twins catcher has no broken up three no hitters in his career during the ninth inning. Sanchez recovered after the Mauer single, striking out Josh Willingham and Justin Morneau to end the game.

The Tigers starter still pitched a masterful performance, throwing a complete game shutout. Sanchez fanned 12 Twins hitters and issued three walks. Carroll started the game with a lead-off walk, but Sanchez quickly recovered. The right-handed pitcher retired 18 hitters in a row at one point before Eduardo Escobar drew a one-out walk in the top of the eighth inning.