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When the recap for the 2025 MLB season comes out, Friday, June 27 should become one of the days that most stands out, mainly for its weirdness. As almost all teams have now played at least 81 games (except the 40-40 Guardians, them weirdos), this symbolic mid-way point was full of extremes. Four teams were shut out, as strong pitching performances from the likes of Sonny Gray, José Berríos, and Will Warren kept their rivals at bay. That doesn’t even count Nick Martinez’s quest for a no-hitter, as he would be tagged for a run before completing his masterpiece.
On the other side of the coin, a season-high eleven teams scored at least eight runs, and three of them did not even win! In the end, it was a banner day for every type of baseball fandom, with zeroes and crooked numbers traded evenly across the landscape.
Today’s Headlines
Nearly No-No Nick
In one of the most dominant pitching performances of 2025, Cincinnati’s Nick Martinez came within only three outs of the season’s first no-hitter, ultimately settling for a stellar eight-inning performance. With the Reds storming off to a quick 3-0 lead, Martinez was comfortable from the get-go, at one point retiring 19 straight San Diego hitters. Starting the ninth over 100 pitches, it became clear that the righty may have been tired, as he walked Trenton Brooks on five pitches and then allowed a bid-breaking double to Elias Díaz. Martinez was removed and left to a standing ovation, ending his night with an inspired line of only one hit and two walks allowed over 8+ innings, with six strikeouts. Amid this masterpiece, Reds first baseman Spencer Steer put on a power display, with three homers that drove in four runs and were more than enough for the 8-1 win.
Nick Martinez came three outs away from the first no-hitter of 2025 👏 pic.twitter.com/YqDSXPhCQn
— MLB (@MLB) June 28, 2025
Miles Ahead
The day’s only extra-inning affair really made it count, as the Mariners and Rangers battled until the 12th inning before churning out a winner. On his return from the IL, Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi struggled, but Mariners starter Logan Gilbert was also off his game, with both of them combining for seven runs allowed in 8.1 innings, turning the game into a bullpen contest. Seattle would blow a 5-1 lead, and it all went to extras, where both teams scored the ghost runner in the 10th, as Texas had a prime opportunity to walk it off in the 11th. With the bases loaded and two outs, Corey Seager dropped what looked like a perfect soft fly ball to left, but Miles Mastrobuoni tracked the ball expertly, making a nice sliding catch to end the threat. As fate would have it, he stepped up to the plate with a chance to give Seattle the lead, which he did on an 0-2 count with two down, barely scoring a streaking Randy Arozarena. The play was reviewed, but the call stood, giving the M’s a 7-6 lead that would hold, as the Rangers went down feebly in the bottom half of the 12th.
And now Miles Mastrobuoni gives the @Mariners the lead in the 12th! https://t.co/pVOxPMq9en pic.twitter.com/lmcx53XR5n
— MLB (@MLB) June 28, 2025
Sonny Greg
While Nick Martinez’s no-hit bid garnered most of today’s headlines, it is important to acknowledge that the day’s premier pitching performance had come a few hours earlier. In a game that only lasted 2 hours and 11 minutes, Sonny Gray delivered one of the finest outings of his career, needing only 89 (!!!) pitches to shut out the Guardians, leading St. Louis to an impressive 5-0 win. Gray started the game by retiring the first 14 batters he faced before allowing a ground ball single to Nolan Jones. Gray shook it off and promptly retired the next 13 Guardians, to close out his line with that single, no walks, and 11 strikeouts, as no Cleveland hitter was able to reach second base. Despite not being considered among baseball’s best starters anymore, the veteran righty reached eight wins and owns a 3.36 ERA for the season.
Sonny Gray records his fifth career shutout and FIRST since 2015! pic.twitter.com/MSrvUkYms4
— MLB (@MLB) June 28, 2025
Extreme Revenge
Just last week, the surging Rays completed a remarkable comeback from eight runs down against the Orioles, in what became one of the most depressing losses of the tough Baltimore season. In the second inning of last night’s rematch, Tampa Bay stormed to a six-run second inning, a lead that seemed safe for starter Ryan Pepiot. Instead, Baltimore immediately responded with a four-run frame and never stopped scoring, ultimately completing their own remarkable comeback in a 22-8 shocker. The Orioles amassed 21 hits and drew eight walks, with seven of their players collecting at least two RBI. Tampa Bay used position player José Caballero for the eighth inning, and he promptly allowed six runs. However, the craziest stat from this game may have come on the pitching side, as Baltimore starter Tomoyuki Sugano “earned” the win despite allowing seven runs in five innings – yet another reminder that pitcher wins can be imperfect, to say the least.
The @Orioles score 22 runs in a game for the first time since 2000! pic.twitter.com/O6hgi6yHmZ
— MLB (@MLB) June 28, 2025
Best Moments From Yesterday
No Place Like Home
Following a rough and emotional week, Arizona star Ketel Marte returned home to a tremendous display of love from his home fans. This was a perfect moment to follow up the outpouring of support from others online and from MLB’s office, which was quick to react in the case of a fan disgustingly heckling Marte in Chicago. The standing ovation and heartwarming moment in Arizona should serve as a reminder that baseball should always be a safe haven for everyone involved in it, and that, in the end, we are still rooting for human beings who deserve our utmost respect at all times.
We love you, Ketel 🩷 pic.twitter.com/ztWoOuO2Ov
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 28, 2025
Bad Omen Ernie
As the Red Sox lost for a sixth straight time, they could have seen that it was going to be a tough day from the first batter of the game. Already down 1-0, lead-off man Jarren Duran hit what looked like a sure foul ball to the stands, but third baseman Ernie Clement ran it down expertly, making the catch as he almost crashed down the photographers’ well. Before anyone could doubt his catch, he showed the ball for everyone to see, in what was an impressive display of elasticity and athleticism. It went all downhill from there for Boston, as their staff ceded 16 hits to Toronto, ultimately taking an ugly 9-0 loss. José Berríos was masterful, going seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts, as Toronto recorded its second straight shutout win.
Ernie Clement caught that baseball!
He has proof, too ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/bQcouD6qdZ
— MLB (@MLB) June 27, 2025
Thanks for the Memories
Baseball tends to be the best sport in terms of recognizing the past, with fans usually able to recognize the good old days when a former player returns. This is how it played out last night in Houston, where former franchise standout Kyle Tucker made his first appearance since being traded to the Cubs. Tucker was a cornerstone in a team full of stars, clubbing 125 homers over a seven-year stint in Houston, shining in the 2022 team that won the World Series, and the home crowd was well aware that he deserved a nice ovation. The pleasantries ended there, though, as the current Astros held Tucker hitless in four at-bats, with Houston storming to a 7-0 lead that ended with a comfortable 7-4 win, as the Astros have now opened a commanding seven-game lead in the AL West.
Kyle Tucker receives a standing ovation from the fans in Houston 👏 pic.twitter.com/mWRLtYRpqe
— MLB (@MLB) June 28, 2025
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Mets starter Griffin Canning underwent surgery on his left Achilles, just after the team had announced he would be transferred to the 60-day IL. The expected timetable before he can return should be significant, as this type of injury usually requires a year to fully heal. Canning had been a reliable starter for New York and will now head into free agency with a major level of uncertainty.
⚾ The Yankees announced that Marcus Stroman will come off the IL and start on Sunday against the A’s. Stroman had been out for more than two months with left knee inflammation. While he has been erratic during his New York tenure, a strong closing to the season could warrant the team picking up his option for next year.
⚾ Angels manager Ron Washington will be on medical leave for the remainder of the season, as announced by the club. While the reason for this absence has been withheld, it is still tough news for an Angels team that has vastly improved this season. Ray Montgomery will serve as interim manager for the rest of 2025, while the Angels have a club option for Washington should he be able to return to the dugout in 2026.
Articles You Should Read
Will the Homerless Qualifier Club Reopen? — Davy Andrews, Fangraphs
Atlantic League Slugger Chasing History — Jason Foster, MLB.com
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