CLEVELAND — Parker Messick came tantalizingly close to etching his name in baseball history on April 16, 2026, as he carried a no-hit bid into the ninth inning during the Cleveland Guardians’ 4-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field.
Why it matters: The Guardians have the longest active no-hitter drought in Major League Baseball, stretching back to May 15, 1981. Messick's near-miss reignites hope for a franchise that has struggled with pitching excellence in recent decades.
Messick was just three outs away from becoming the first Cleveland pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Len Barker's perfect game nearly 45 years ago.
His performance showcased his potential and the Guardians' need for a standout pitcher to break their long-standing drought.
The game drew an announced crowd of 14,748, who sensed they were witnessing something special as Messick dominated through eight innings.
Driving the news: Messick's impressive outing began with a strong first inning, where he quickly established control over the Orioles' lineup. He held Baltimore to just two walks through eight innings, effectively baffling hitters with his changeup and fastball.
Messick entered the ninth inning with nine strikeouts and only two walks, having thrown 106 pitches, before giving up a leadoff single to Leody Taveras.
After the single, manager Stephen Vogt opted to pull Messick, who finished the game with a career-high 112 pitches, nearing his previous high of 121 pitches from college.
The Guardians held on to win the game 4-2, but Messick’s night ended prematurely, with two earned runs charged to him after reliever Cade Smith allowed both inherited runners to score.
State of play: The Guardians took an early lead thanks to a two-run homer from José Ramírez in the first inning, which set the tone for the night.
Ramírez's home run was his third in a seven-game span, helping to establish a 2-0 lead against the Orioles from the outset.
In addition to Ramírez, Steven Kwan and George Valera contributed with key RBI hits, ensuring the Guardians maintained a comfortable margin throughout the game.
Messick’s performance marked a continuation of his strong start to the season, with a 1.05 ERA across four starts, and 25 strikeouts against just seven walks.
The big picture: Messick's near no-hitter highlights the Guardians' current situation as they seek pitching stability and offensive support.
The last no-hitter thrown by a Cleveland pitcher was in 1981, and the franchise has since seen a series of ups and downs in both pitching and hitting.
With no no-hitters recorded in MLB since September 2024, the anticipation around Messick’s performance was heightened, as fans hoped to see history made.
Messick's near-miss serves as a reminder of the potential within the Guardians' roster, particularly among their young pitchers.
What they're saying: Messick's performance drew praise from teammates and fans alike, even as disappointment lingered over the missed opportunity.
“It was a great night for him,” said manager Stephen Vogt. “He showed what he’s capable of, and we’re excited about his future.”
Fans expressed their support with a standing ovation as Messick jogged to the mound for the ninth inning, underscoring the community's eagerness for a no-hitter.
“We knew he had something special going,” said Kwan, who made a spectacular catch in center field earlier in the game. “It’s just a matter of time before he gets one.”
By the numbers: Messick’s statistics from the game paint a picture of dominance, even if the final outcome didn’t include a no-hitter.
He finished the night with nine strikeouts, tying his career high, and walked only two batters.
Messick faced one batter more than the minimum through eight innings, with a stretch of 15 consecutive batters retired at one point.
The Guardians improved to 3-0 in games started by Messick this season, indicating his value to the team moving forward.
What's next: The Guardians will look to build on this victory as they continue their series against the Orioles.
Next up, Cleveland will rely on their pitching staff to maintain momentum and secure another win, aiming to extend their success in the early season.
Messick, now 3-0, will continue to be a focal point for the Guardians as they navigate the remainder of the season.
to see if Messick can channel this performance into another opportunity for a no-hitter in the near future.