Gardner spoils SF's bid for third no-hitter

On a night when three games ended in 1-0 shutouts and another looked like a high-scoring football game, San Francisco came within two outs of becoming the first franchise to throw three no-hitters in its history.

The Experience beat Tucson, 1-0, on the road Thursday night with the help of three pitchers but lost a no-hit bid with one out in the 9th inning. It would have been the 22nd no-hitter in league history and a record 4th this season. Just last week, Aaron Nola tossed a no-hitter after two no-no's in May and another near-miss.

Brad Peacock struck out 13 over 7 innings before making way for The Experience bullpen. Kenley Jansen got the next four outs but leadoff hitter Brett Gardner got around for a single between first and second to spoil it. Ryan Madson came on and induced Jose Altuve into an inning-ending double play and San Francisco had to settle for a one-hit shutout.

San Francisco pushed across a run with the first two batters of the game but then left 10 men on base. Neil Walker singled to lead off the game and scored when Matt Carpenter doubled to right center but was gunned down at third base.

Peacock, 30, was pulled after 111 pitches, 62 of which went for strikes (.559). He walked three but struck out the last four batters he faced.

Slated as the No. 2 starter in rotation after being selected 5th overall in this year's draft, Peacock hasn't lived up to expectations for San Francisco. After Thursday's performance lowered his ERA to 5.20 and his WHIP to 1.60. If it wasn't for Zach Davies, who combined on a no-hitter in May, those numbers would be the worst on the team. The 30-year-old improved to 7-6 and his Game Score of 87 is among the top five in the league this season, matching a Michael Fulmer 4-hit shutout in April.

The near no-hitter was among three 1-0 shutouts in the league on Thursday night. Arkansas also blanked Hoboken behind Marcus Stroman and Ken Giles and Sardine City downed Vancouver on the strength of Jimmy Nelson, Keone Kela and a walk-off single by Evan Longoria.

In a complete opposite world, Allentown plated 10 runs but gave up more than three touchdowns to Hillsbrough, getting shellacked on the road, 24-10. Aaron Hicks and Danny Valencia each had 5 RBI as three Hit Men each scored 4 runs in a 19-hit attack. Hillsborough did it with "just" four home runs, including a grand slam by Valencia in a 7-run 6th inning. The Hit Men plated 9 in the 5th, including a three-run blast by Joey Gallo, the only batter faced by Kirby Yates.

Allentown's Brent Suter was pummeled for 14 earned runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3, walking 5 and striking out 5 in 110 pitches.