Stealth

NEW YORK (AP) - The most astonishing thing about Daniel Cabrera's near no-hitter was the mighty lineup it came against.

Cabrera got within two outs of a stunning gem against the star-studded Yankees before Robinson Cano slapped a clean single to left, and the Baltimore Orioles beat New York 7-1 Thursday night.

Flashing a fastball that touched 97 mph, Cabrera overcame three errors behind him and cruised into the ninth inning with a chance to make history at Yankee Stadium.

But after Johnny Damon grounded weakly to first, Cano punched an 0-1 delivery to the opposite field for New York's only hit - drawing a roar from the crowd of 54,046 and a pained expression from Cabrera, who turned around to watch the ball and then grimaced.

"I thought it was a really good pitch," he said. "I made the right pitch. He's a good hitter, and he hit it."

On the very next offering, Bobby Abreu bounced into a game-ending double play.

"I'm really happy and excited. It's the best game I ever pitched," said Cabrera, who lives about 2 minutes from Cano in the Dominican Republic.

"He's not my friend anymore," Cabrera joked.

Cano, batting .343 in his second big league season, was 0-for-9 against Cabrera in the majors before his single, though Cabrera said Cano got him twice in winter ball.

"I wasn't thinking about breaking it up," Cano said. "Just go to the plate and get a hit."

After coming tantalizingly close to Baltimore's first no-hitter in 15 years, Cabrera (9-10) was left with his third career complete game and second this season. He struck out five and walked two, throwing 71 of his 106 pitches for strikes.

The 25-year-old right-hander nearly became the first pitcher to toss a complete-game no-hitter against the Yankees since Orioles knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm in 1958. New York was no-hit at home by six Houston pitchers on June 11, 2003.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6009738

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Sham

Does anyone actually think the Yankees are trying their hardest right now?

Stealth

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sham @ Sep 30 2006, 01:34 AM) [snapback]26131[/snapback]</div>Well there not striking out on purpose if that's what you think or there trying to not win games. No team wants to be no hit. It's an embassment for the players.

There also fighting for home feild advantage against the Tigers and Twins through the playoffs.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

KirkHinrich12

^And they got HFA