Justin Verlander records his third no-hitter

TORONTO – Justin Verlander took the mound for the ninth inning Sunday, fully aware of the no-hitters he finished —and his near misses, too.

Zeroed in, he wouldn't be denied this time.

Verlander pitched his third career no-hitter, punctuating a dominant season by striking out 14 to lead the Houston Astros past the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0.

Verlander became just the sixth pitcher to throw at least three no-hitters in the majors, an elite club that includes the likes of Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax and Cy Young.

"It means a lot," Verlander said. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't know that. I've come so close. Since I've had two, I think I've blown two in the ninth and another couple in the eighth.

"I was definitely aware of the history aspect of it. Definitely a big hurdle to get over and a very special moment for me."

Verlander (17-5) is the first pitcher to throw two no-hitters as a visitor in the same park — he also threw one at Rogers Centre in 2011 with Detroit. His other no-no was in 2007 for the Tigers against Milwaukee.

Verlander allowed only one runner, with rookie Cavan Biggio drawing a one-out walk in the first inning. The Blue Jays, with a lineup full of young, aggressive batters, never came close to a hit.

The 36-year-old Verlander joined Ryan (seven), Koufax (four) and Young, Bob Feller and 1880s-era Larry Corcoran (three each) in rarefied air on the no-hitter list.

"Some of the guys I've idolized," said Verlander, who threw a season-high 120 pitches.

Despite retiring his final 26 batters, he still needed help because the game was scoreless going into the last inning — according to baseball rules, Verlander had to pitch a complete game to get credit for a no-hitter.

That's when Canadian-born rookie Abraham Toro stepped up for the AL West leaders. The Astros newcomer hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning off former Houston closer Ken Giles that cleared the way for Verlander to complete the no-hitter.

Toro made a routine play on Bo Bichette's grounder to third base for the last out. Verlander joked the 22-year-old Toro, playing in only his eighth game in the major leagues, was in for quite a nice reward.

"I could not be happier for that kid," said Verlander, who sought out Toro for an on-field hug after the game.