Detroit Tigers: Ten best pitching performances in team history

The First No-Hitter

It did not take long for Justin Verlander to register his first career no-hitter. On June 12, 2007, appearing in just his 45th big league game, Verlander blanked the Milwaukee Brewers in a 4-0 victory. Verlander walked four but struck out 12, a season high. It was the first no-hitter in Comerica Park. He posted a game score of 95, tied for the tenth highest total in franchise history.

While it was the first no-hitter for Justin Verlander’s storied career, it would not be his last. Verlander threw another no-hitter on May 11 during his magical 2011 campaign. He faced the Toronto Blue Jays and only allowed one base runner in a 9-0 victory. While either of these games could have qualified for the final spot, we always have a special place for the first born, and Verlander’s first no-hitter  truly cemented his place not only in Tigers history, but in baseball history as well.

Verlander ended up finishing 2007 with a stellar 18-6 record and a 3.66 ERA. He made his first All-Star game and finished fifth in Cy Young voting. He would of course go on to make five more All-Star games and win the 2011 Cy Young and MVP award.

Verlander’s Tigers career came to a sad end at the 2017 trade deadline, when he was dealt to the eventual World Champion Houston Astros in exchange for right-hander Franklin Perez, outfielder Daz Cameron and catcher Jake Rogers.