Corey Seager is a no-hitter’s worst nightmare.
The Texas Rangers shortstop, who lost 4-2 to the Houston Astros on Tuesday night, took the bat in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs against Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez, who had not thrown a single hit against the Rangers up to that point.
And for the second time in his career, Seager played the role of the ultimate spoiler, denying Valdez his no-hitter with a two-run home run into the right-field seats, sending the fans at Globe Life Field into an absolute frenzy. The dejected Astros left-hander could only watch the ball and shake his head.
Corey Seager hits a 2-run home run to break Framber Valdez’s no-hit attempt with 2 outs in the 9th inning! pic.twitter.com/aOJzl3AXMN
— MLB (@MLB) 7 August 2024
Not only is it the second time Seager has stopped a no-hitter, but it’s also the second time he’s done so on the last possible point of the game, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Coincidentally, Seager also did this in August 2016 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, when he hit a bloop single to right field against left-hander Matt Moore of the San Francisco Giants, preventing his no-no.
He is the only player in MLB history to accomplish this feat twice.
Seager, a two-time World Series MVP and 2020 National League Championship Series MVP, is no stranger to big moments, and stepping up to bat with two outs in the ninth inning and the prospect of a no-hit is undoubtedly a big moment.
And the moral of the story? Stay away from Seager when throwing a no-hitter, especially in the ninth inning.
