Clint Lamb
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MLB starting pitcher Spencer Turnbull did something spectacular on Tuesday night. He blanked the Mariners 5-0, and in the process, threw baseball’s fifth no-hitter of the season. That makes him the first Detroit Tiger to accomplish that feat since May 7, 2011.
Justin Verlander was pitching that day, if that tells you anything.
That’s right, folks. Just over a decade has passed since the last Tiger threw a no-no, but that all changed after Turnbull’s performance. Only two batters even reached base.
.@spencerturnbull has thrown the first @tigers no-hitter since Justin Verlander in 2011. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/yLkMwbpAQ0
— MLB (@MLB) May 19, 2021
Anytime someone achieves something spectacular in sports, you know social media is going to bring some fire reactions. After Turnbull’s nine-strike out, two-walk game, there were plenty of reactions to choose from.
Here are some of the best:
.@spencerturnbull is UNHITTABLE! pic.twitter.com/Rt6Z8ddtUR
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) May 19, 2021
Detroit's Spencer Turnbull just no-hit Seattle.
Fifth nine-inning no-hitter in MLB this year. The record in the Modern Era is seven in one season.
Second time the Mariners have been no-hit this season. It's May 18, and they are hitting .199 as a team. That is a real statistic.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 19, 2021
Okay I feel like we gotta chill on the no-hitters for a bit—we’re all gonna start becoming desensitized to its impressiveness.
But congrats Spencer Turnbull — well freakin done 👏🏻
— Rachel Luba (@AgentRachelLuba) May 19, 2021
Spencer Turnbull just no-hit the Seattle Mariners.
The secret is out. Turnbull is good and still getting better.
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) May 19, 2021
Two belts > one belt
Spencer Turnbull is the undisputed champ after throwing a no-hitter pic.twitter.com/zbQY2L8n5d
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) May 19, 2021
I still have bruises and scars on my chest from blocking this dude’s 94mph spiked pickoff throws!
But…..
This guy also used to be the MOST fun to watch from 1B when he was on his game!!!
Congrats buddy! @spencerturnbull 🟥🐂💪🏽 https://t.co/3GpTXidhMb
— Dominic Ficociello (@DFicociello25) May 19, 2021
Instant reaction from @Verly32 on @tigers starter @spencerturnbull throwing a no-hitter! pic.twitter.com/A3kl7pjSvj
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 19, 2021
What an absolutely surreal notification to wake up to. Spencer Turnbull, take a bow. #DetroitRoots pic.twitter.com/JPzjiC2qlu
— 🍑 at the Lake (@PeachJames_) May 19, 2021
Game 42 @ Seattle Mariners.
NO-HITTER FOR SPENCER TURNBULL!!!!!!!! LET’S GO!!!!! #DetroitRoots pic.twitter.com/lmFw281XUg
— Tony Dombrowski (@tonydombrowski) May 19, 2021
There were many who got to experience the greatness. There were also a few, notably this guy below, who missed it.
If I go to bed and Spencer Turnbull does the thing that he’s currently threatening to do I am going to go berserk in the morning
— Jed (@TigersJUK) May 19, 2021
Absolutely brutal — but at least he didn’t refer to the no-hitter by its name before it happened.
What’s wild is that prior to Tuesday’s outing against the Mariners, Turnbull, who played his college ball at Alabama, had not pitched more than seven innings in his entire career (49 career starts). I guess it was a good time to push his limits though.
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.
Maybe it’s time this new hitting approach of “lift or whiff” practiced by virtually all of baseball needs to be critiqued a bit harder?
What’s also weird is who is throwing them. Musgrove, Means, Miley. Not Scherzer, deGrom, Giolito, Buehler, Bauer, Cole.
I’m old enough to remember when throwing a no-hitter was a really, really big deal.