Justin Verlander threw his second career no-hitter and the second in the big leagues this week, leading the Detroit Tigers to a 9-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday May 7, 2010.

   Just five pitchers in Major League history have thrown three no-hitters nobody since the great Nolan Ryan threw his seventh in 1991. No matter what else Verlander accomplishes in his career, and he still has quite a few feats left to accomplish, there's little doubt he will get a chance at a third no-hitter. As long as he stays healthy, Verlander has the stuff, and the drive. "He's got two of them now, and that doesn't surprise me," Tigers manager Jim Leyland told reporters after the game. "And it wouldn't surprise me if he gets another one at some point in his career. That's how good his stuff can be on some days." Verlander (3-3) struck out 12 in his first no-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 12, 2007. This time, he fanned Rajai Davis to end it for his fourth strikeout of the game. The overpowering right-hander threw 108 pitches, 74 for strikes, against a Blue Jays lineup missing ailing slugger Jose Bautista. Verlander became the 30th pitcher in major league history to throw multiple career no-hitters, “Just as good as the first," Verlander said.

   Blue Jays rookie David Cooper popped to second on Verlander's first pitch of the ninth. John McDonald followed with a grounder to second, and Verlander flashed a grin. With the crowd of 23,453 standing and cheering, Davis ended it by striking out swinging on a 2-2 pitch from the 2006 AL Rookie of the Year. Verlander calmly pumped his fist and smiled, then hugged catcher Alex Avila before being mobbed by teammates near the mound. He was doused with a bucket of ice water by reliever Jose Valverde.

   Verlander's long-term success the 20-win seasons, the All-Star Game appearances and likely the Tigers' postseason hopes depends a lot on how he does in games, when he doesn't have all of his best pitches. But when he has everything, he's going to be tough to hit at all. "It's special," Leyland said. "You just don't see this kind of stuff very often, obviously, and to be part of it is a thrill."

Tiger’s no-hitters

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