In a thrilling showdown at Citi Field, Gavin Williams of the Cleveland Guardians came agonizingly close to etching his name into baseball history. Williams, who had been dominant throughout the game, was just two outs away from securing Cleveland's first no-hitter in 44 years. However, Juan Soto of the New York Mets had other plans, launching a home run in the ninth inning to shatter the dream.

The Pitching Masterclass

Williams (7-4) delivered a stellar performance, walking three and striking out six over 8.1 innings. His effort included a crucial strikeout of Francisco Lindor to start the ninth inning. Despite the setback, Williams' 126 pitches marked a career-high and the most in the majors since Alex Cobb's 131-pitch one-hitter in 2023.

The Game-Changing Moment

With one out in the ninth, Soto stepped up to the plate and sent a pitch just beyond the reach of center fielder Angel Martinez, ending the no-hit bid. This homer not only denied Williams his place in history but also allowed the Mets to avoid being no-hit for the ninth time in their franchise history.

Guardians' Offensive Support

Cleveland's offense provided ample support, with David Fry leading off the second inning with a home run against David Peterson (7-5). Angel Martinez added a two-run homer in the third, and Gabriel Arias contributed an RBI triple in the sixth, ensuring the Guardians' 4-1 victory.

Historical Context

The Guardians' no-hitter drought now stands at 7,115 games, including postseason play. Their last no-hitter was Len Barker's perfect game on May 15, 1981, marking the longest such drought in Major League Baseball.

Looking Ahead

Despite the heartbreak, Williams' performance is a testament to his potential and resilience. As the Guardians continue their season, fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see if this young pitcher can finally break the curse and deliver that elusive no-hitter.