NEW YORK — The New York Mets waited 8,019 games across 50-plus seasons before they threw a no-hitter. Sunday, they came within five outs of celebrating their second, four seasons after the first.
In the top of the eighth, Padres shortstop Alexei Ramirez shot a single down the right-field line, past first baseman Wilmer Flores, ending Steven Matz's bid at history. Mets manager Terry Collins immediately went to the mound to relieve the left-hander. Matz walked off the field to a standing ovation.
The Citi Field crowd would remember Ramirez's spoiler, yes, but some 26,612 fans also left with memories of a 25-year-old's dominance.