Justin Verlander loses no-hitter in 9th inning, Tigers beat Angels 5-0

Chris Iannetta broke up no-hitter with leadoff double in 9th

DETROIT – Tigers' starting pitcher Justin Verlander just missed his third career no-hitter Wednesday vs. the Angels, allowing a leadoff double in the top of the 9th in the 5-0 win. Verlander had faced the minimum 24 batters through eight innings before the Chris Iannetta hit, which bounced off the chalk down the left-field line.

Verlander allowed just two walks in the start and struck out nine batters.

Verlander's first no-hitter came against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 12, 2007. It was the first no-hitter thrown at Comerica Park. His second no-hitter came on May 7, 2011 in Toronto against the Blue Jays.

Wednesday's start was just the latest in a string of dominant outings for Verlander. The 32-year-old has allowed just one earned run in his last four outings, striking out 30 batters in 29 innings. He's allowed one earned run or fewer in six of his last seven starts.

The Tigers' offense, meanwhile, scored each of its runs via the home run. Nick Castellanos got them on the board with a solo shot in the bottom of the second, and Miguel Cabrera and J.D. Martinez each hit two-run bombs in the fifth.

Martinez's homer chased Angels starter Hector Santiago after just 4 1/3 innings. He allowed five earned runs on seven hits and three walks.

The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Tigers, who had fallen a season-high seven games below .500.

The Tigers and Angels will play the rubber match of this three-game series Thursday afternoon, with Randy Wolf making his second start for Detroit.