Nomo throws a no-no
BALTIMORE -- Another no-no for Hideo Nomo.
Nomo became the fourth pitcher in major league history to throw a no-hitter in both leagues, using his unique hesitation windup and a brilliant mix of offspeed pitches and high heat in Boston's 3-0 victory over Baltimore on Wednesday night.
''I felt pretty good throughout the game,'' Nomo said through an interpreter after his spectacular debut for the Red Sox. ''As I was going into the ninth inning, I was not nervous.''
Second baseman Mike Lansing saved the no-hitter when he made a back-handed, tumbling catch of Mike Bordick's soft looper to center field for the second out of the ninth inning.
''I looked at the location of the ball, looked at Lansing, and I thought he'd catch the ball,'' said Nomo, who was remarkably calm for a pitcher who had just put his name in the record book.
Two pitches later, Delino DeShields lofted a routine fly to left field that Troy O'Leary caught for the final out. Nomo was lifted up by catcher Jason Varitek and mobbed by his new teammates as O'Leary ran in to give the right-hander the ball.
''I've always heard what a horse Nomo is and he really proved that tonight,'' Varitek said. ''He got stronger and his fastball got better as the game went on. His fastball is what made it tonight. He was phenomenal tonight.''
The 32-year-old Japanese pitcher, who threw the first no-hitter in Colorado's Coors Field on Sept. 17, 1996, for Los Angeles, walked three and struck out 11 in a 110-pitch outing for the first no-hitter in the 10-year history of Camden Yards.
Blue Jays 11, Devil Rays 8
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Carlos Delgado hit three home runs and had four RBIs to lead the Blue Jays.
Indians 8, White Sox 4
CLEVELAND -- Chuck Finley pitched into the seventh inning, and Russell Branyan homered as the Indians beat the White Sox in front of the first non-sellout crowd in nearly six years at Jacobs Field.
Yankees 8, Royals 2
NEW YORK -- Kansas City right fielder Jermaine Dye and second baseman Carlos Febles were forced to leave after a frightening collision, and David Justice hit a grand slam to lead New York.
Rangers 7, Angels 3
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Andres Galarraga hit his first AL home run and Darren Oliver pitched five shutout innings for the Rangers.
Mariners 10, Athletics 2
SEATTLE -- Aaron Sele pitched six strong innings and the Mariners used a seven-run sixth inning to beat the Athletics.