Padres pitcher Michael Wacha loses no-hitter in 8th against Royals
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael Wacha works against a Kansas City Royals better during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, May 15, 2023, in San Diego. Credit: AP/Gregory Bull
SAN DIEGO — Padres pitcher Michael Wacha took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before Michael Massey of the Kansas City Royals lined a leadoff single.
The base hit came on the 103rd pitch thrown by Wacha, who was immediately pulled by San Diego manager Bob Melvin. The right-hander struck out a career-high 11.
Wacha had a perfect game going before hitting Edward Olivares with a pitch with one out in the fifth. He walked Bobby Witt Jr. with two outs in the sixth before first baseman Jake Cronenworth made a terrific diving stop of Vinnie Pasquantino's grounder to preserve the no-hit bid.
The 31-year-old Wacha began the game with a 3-1 record in seven starts this season. In his 11th big league season, he signed with the Padres as a free agent on Feb. 16.
San Diego leads 4-0.
Joe Musgrove threw the Padres’ only no-hitter on April 9, 2021, in his second start with his hometown team.
