Orioles’ Means Throws No-Hitter Through 7 Innings, Secures Playoff Spot With 1-Hit Win Over Guardians

John Means carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and Anthony Santander drove in a pair of runs, leading the Baltimore Orioles to a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. With this win, the Orioles secured their spot in the playoffs.

Means, a 30-year-old left-hander who recently returned from Tommy John surgery, allowed only one hit in 7 1/3 innings. The lone hit came from Andrés Giménez, who hit a 406-foot home run. Means allowed three baserunners in total.

Baltimore, currently leading the AL East division, holds a 1 1/2-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays for the best record in the AL. The Orioles have secured their first postseason berth since 2016.

Yennier Cano and Cionel Pérez came in relief to secure the win for the Orioles.

Santander contributed to the offense with a double and a single, driving in two runs for Baltimore. The Guardians’ only player to reach first base was Giménez.

The Guardians’ starting pitcher, Cal Quantrill, allowed one run, five hits, and four walks in four innings.

Cleveland rookie catcher Bo Naylor and shortstop Gabriel Arias both left the game due to injuries.

Shane Bieber of the Guardians is expected to start the team’s final home game, which will also be Terry Francona’s last game as Cleveland’s manager at Progressive Field. There is speculation that it could also be Bieber’s last home appearance for the team as he could be traded in the offseason.

In terms of injuries, Orioles’ pitcher Félix Bautista’s postseason status remains unclear due to a right ulnar collateral ligament tear. For the Guardians, pitcher Logan Allen has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to left shoulder inflammation.

In the next game, Orioles’ Kyle Gibson will face Guardians’ Triston McKenzie in the series finale. McKenzie will be activated off the injured list for his first start since June 10.