Brilliant

What can you say about Justin Verlander's game tonight? Brilliant. The first no-no for the Tigers since Jack Morris in 1984 and the 6th in team history.

I missed the first 3 innings, but once I saw Verlander set down the Brewers in the 4th, I immediately thought he was going to throw a no-hitter. He was so in command it was scary. Bill Hall was the only Brewer to "solve" Verlander, getting 3 of the 4 walks allowed by Verlander.

Verlander struck out a career-high 12, including 2 in the 9th. He reportedly was clocked at 102 mph in the 9th. He also had his curveball and filthy change working. He was hitting the corners at the knees with his fastball at 99 mph and coming back with knee-locking curves or 85 mph changes. It was pitching.

Magglio Ordonez made a sliding catch of a flyball in the seventh and Neifi Perez started a terrific double play, with great pivot by Placido Polanco, to end the eighth. That really was the only times Verlander was in trouble, if you can call it that.

I almost posted after the 4th a prediction that Verlander would throw a no-hitter, but wimped out fearing the jinx.

Verlander joins Hideo Nomo and John Montefusco as ROYs to throw a no-hitter the following year.