Justin Verlander makes weird/cool MLB history with his third no-hitter

Justin Verlander became just the sixth pitcher in MLB history to throw three no-hitters in his career on Sunday, as he blanked the Toronto Blue Jays with  a masterful 120-pitch, 14-strike out performance.

The 36-year-old right-hander also became just the fifth pitcher in MLB history to rack up 250 strikeouts in five different seasons.

Verlander needed some help from his offense as the game was tied 0-0 in the ninth. But then Abraham Toro hit a two-run homer and Verlander closed it down with a perfect ninth, giving the Astros a 2-0 win.

It’s Verlander’s first no-hitter since 2011… which also happened in Toronto. Verlander now has this piece of MLB history all to himself:

.@JustinVerlander is the first pitcher ever to throw TWO no-hitters in the same road stadium (Rogers Centre). pic.twitter.com/9Iqw2hSOzx

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) September 1, 2019

Here is the final out:

For @JustinVerlander, good things come in threes.

(MLB x @YouTubeTV) pic.twitter.com/ngmqI3scXQ

— MLB (@MLB) September 1, 2019

Verlander was quick to find Toro after the game:

“Where the f— is Toro!”

In the middle of celebrating his third no-hitter, Justin Verlander sought out rookie third baseman Abraham Toro, whose ninth-inning home run broke a scoreless tie and allowed Verlander to complete the no-hitter. Toro also got an assist on the final out. pic.twitter.com/6r6oRbx9Uj

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 1, 2019

That’s pretty great.

Verlander is now a part of this elite group:

The full list of pitchers with three or more career no-hitters:
Nolan Ryan
Bob Feller
Sandy Koufax
Cy Young
Justin Verlander

— Jon Tayler, Smiling Politely (@JATayler) September 1, 2019

MLB fans were in awe of his performance:

NO-HITTER NUMBER 3! #MustSeeJV is unbelievable.

— Jason Dovitz (@Jdovitz) September 1, 2019

Dear @JustinVerlander,
You are amazing. Much respect. https://t.co/wRuEQ6slCA

— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) September 1, 2019

.@JustinVerlander (@ATTSportsNetSW) is the sixth pitcher in MLB history with three or more no-hitters: "I'd be lying if I said I didn't know that the list of guys that's thrown three instead of two gets pretty small." pic.twitter.com/jslG1uNTXM

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) September 1, 2019

@JustinVerlander you are what I call a real one! That’s how you handle business. Congrats on your 3rd career no-hitter! #Thoroughbred

— Mike Hardge (@HardballHardge) September 1, 2019

Congrats @JustinVerlander on the no-no. Doesn’t matter that it was against my team, huge respect for your awesome performance.

— Kerry (@kerry_a23) September 1, 2019