- The Washington Times - Sunday, May 12, 2024

The Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 4-1 on Saturday, but many fans of the winning team went home disappointed. Atlanta’s pitchers came within one out of completing the franchise’s first no-hitter in 30 years. 

Braves pitchers Max Fried, Joe Jiminez and Raisel Iglesias secured 26 outs without allowing a hit to start the game. One out away from history, the Mets’ designated hitter J.D. Martinez turned a first-pitch fastball into a solo home run. 

Atlanta lost its no-hit bid — and its shutout. Iglesias eventually found the third out to secure the win for the Braves

“It’s hard to throw a no-hitter,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said after the game. “We got a long season. It’s more about winning the game than a no-hitter.”

The Braves haven’t tossed a no-hitter since Kent Mercker’s 131-pitch performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 8, 1994. 

“I hate everyone and everything right now,” one Braves wrote on social media after the game. 

One Atlanta fan says he may have jinxed the no-hit bid. 

“It’s my fault, sorry to my other Braves fans,” Robert Rahn wrote on X. “I switched from the radio broadcast in the truck and pulled over to watch it live and then banger.”

MLB has seen only one no-hitter in 2024 — Ronel Blanco’s seven-strikeout performance for the Houston Astros against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1.

• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.

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