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NEW YORK (AP) — Steven Matz's no-hit bid for the New York Mets was broken up in the eighth inning Sunday on a one-out single by San Diego's Alexei Ramirez.
The rookie left-hander was lifted by manager Terry Collins immediately after Ramirez slapped a sharp single the other way just inside first base. The ball appeared to skip right over the bag, and first base umpire Carlos Torres quickly signaled fair.
Matz walked off the mound to a big ovation from the crowd of 26,612 at Citi Field. New York led 2-0 on home runs by Wilmer Flores and Neil Walker off Padres starter Clayton Richard.
Matz, who was 1-7 in his previous 13 starts, struck out eight and walked two. He threw 105 pitches on a 96-degree day after tossing a career-high 120 on Tuesday night in a no-decision against Arizona. He fanned All-Star slugger Wil Myers all three times.
Before Ramirez's single, the closest the Padres came to a hit was Yangervis Solarte's line drive right back to Matz with two outs in the fourth. Matz put up his glove and almost casually caught the ball before Solarte slammed down his bat in frustration.
The only Mets pitcher to throw a no-hitter was Johan Santana in June 2012 against St. Louis.
Padres leadoff man Travis Jankowski, who struggles against left-handed pitching, tried to bunt for a hit with a runner on first and two outs in the sixth. Jankowski missed his attempt for strike one and grounded out to end the inning.
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