Cleveland Guardians right-handed pitcher Gavin Williams was working a no-hitter into the ninth inning of Wednesday’s game against the New York Mets.
Williams retired the first batter in the ninth inning, creating a must-see matchup between him and Juan Soto. Just two outs separated the younger pitcher and a historic feat.
Williams’ first pitch to Soto, a curveball, missed way below the zone, failing to get a chase. The next pitch was a 97 mph fastball on the outer edge of the plate. Soto’s barrel met the ball, and he launched it over the center field fence. It was a no-doubter — 107.1 mph off the bat with a final distance of 420 feet.
Juan Soto homers in the 9th inning to break up Gavin Williams’ no-hit bid. pic.twitter.com/6FTQegooAb
— MLB (@MLB) August 6, 2025
Manager Stephen Vogt left Williams in the game after the home run. He forced Pete Alonso to fly out before walking Brandon Nimmo. With a runner on base, Vogt lifted Williams in favor of Hunter Gaddis, who needed just three pitches to induce a game-ending Mark Vientos flyout.
Williams finished the day with just a few blemishes on an otherwise magnificent stat line. Over 8.2 innings of work, he allowed one run, one hit, and four walks. He also struck out six batters. The 26-year-old went the distance, throwing 126 pitches (75 strikes) before being lifted. That was the most pitches thrown by one player in a single game since Alex Cobb threw 131 on August 29, 2023.
Cleveland secured the 4-1 victory and, simultaneously, a three-game sweep on the road. Williams earned the win, and Gaddis was credited with the save.
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