TORONTO (AP) — Ricky Romero became the latest Toronto pitcher to take a no-hit try into the late innings, losing his bid in the eighth when former teammate Alex Rios homered Tuesday night in the Blue Jays’ 4-2 win over the Chicago White Sox.
Romero struck out 12 and was in complete control until hitting A.J. Pierzynski with a pitch to start the eighth. Rios followed with a drive to deep left.
A pitching staff that lost ace Roy Halladay in the offseason again came close to a no-hit gem. Shaun Marcum held Texas hitless for 6 1-3 innings on opening day. Dave Stieb pitched the only no-hitter in Toronto history in 1990.
CC Sabathia of the Yankees neared a no-hitter last Saturday, shutting down Tampa Bay for 7 2-3 innings.
