NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Athletics pitcher JT Ginn was on the verge of making history Monday night, but the moment slipped from his grasp in the final inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels.
Ginn took a no-hitter into the ninth inning, hoping to become the first pitcher to throw one by himself since Blake Snell did it for the San Francisco Giants on August 2, 2024, and the first to complete one since three Chicago Cubs pitchers combined for one on September 4, 2024.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Athletics pitcher JT Ginn delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., on May 18, 2026. (William Liang/AP)
The Angels were able to break the no-no in the bottom of the ninth when Adam Frazier singled. Then Zach Neto came to the plate and hit a walk-off home run, giving the Angels a 2-1 lead in dramatic fashion.
In almost an instant, Ginn’s shot was destroyed.
“Obviously a tough game,” Ginn said after the game. “Just keep your head up and keep moving forward. It’s just the nature of the game we play. I attack the zone and I live with it.”
Frazier lined a pitch over the shortstop and faced an 0-2 count. Neto was up 2-0 in the count when he hit the game-winning home run.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Los Angeles Angels’ Zach Neto is doused with fluid after hitting a walkoff home run during the ninth inning against the Athletics in Anaheim, Calif., on May 18, 2026. (William Liang/AP)
“Just a crazy game to play,” Ginn said. “I fell behind 2-0, threw a good sinker and he waited for it and put a good swing on it. So tip your cap to him.”
Ginn threw a career-high 105 pitches and struck out 10 batters. He became the sixth major leaguer since 1974 to allow no hits or runs in the first eight innings of a game and take the loss. Rich Hill last pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers in August 2017.
“JT dominated all night. For him to go off the mound with a loss there, obviously it hurts,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “He pitched probably the best game he’s pitched in his big league career and to have an opportunity to get a no-hitter and two hits later you walk away with a loss, that’s tough. I had full confidence in him going out there in that 100-pitch inning and trying to get it done. It just didn’t work out.”
The A’s scored their lone run in the top of the ninth when Lawrence Butler drove in Zack Gelof. The A’s were able to record seven hits from the Angels.
The Athletics’ Tyler Soderstrom reacts during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., on May 18, 2026. (William Liang/AP)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Los Angeles has not had a no-hit since September 11, 1999.
