Best night of my life: How Tigers Spencer Turnbull made history in Seattle – MLive.com

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Spencer Turnbull didnt feel great in the bullpen before Tuesday nights game in Seattle.

No, thats being too kind. It was some of the worst stuff Ive ever had, he said.

But Turnbull didnt panic, didnt even worry. If there was a theme of the best start of his career, it was that the Tigers 28-year-old right-hander, in the 50th big-league start of his career, pitched without overthinking, without hesitation and without fear.

The whole night I was like, Im not going to be afraid to make any pitches, Turnbull said after the celebration had abated. Im not going to second-guess or doubt or have any fear about anything.

The result was an evening of historical proportions.

Turnbull threw just the eighth no-hitter in the Tigers 120-year history and the first in 37 years by someone not named Justin Verlander. He allowed just two walks in the Tigers 5-0 win over the Seattle Mariners.

I dont really know how to think of it from a historical perspective, Turnbull said. But for myself, obviously, its the greatest achievement of my life so far. Or at least my baseball career. Its by far the best night of my life. Its one of those landmark stamps on my career up to this point. Im just happy to be here and happy to be a part of it and happy to have my name written on something that can never be taken away.

When it was over, he had a long embrace with catcher Eric Haase, with whom he had shared the three-hour battle, and was mobbed by teammates. He hugged each of them, giving extra emphasis to Jeimer Candelario, who made a brilliant defensive play in the seventh to extend the no-hitter.

Turnbull said he didnt focus too much on the looming feat in the ninth inning, when he felt that pressure was inevitable and it would be pointless to ignore it.

Once I got to that point, I was like, All right, Im going to be nervous. This is just crazy. But Im going to go out there and keep doing the same thing, Turnbull said.

The fact that he had already walked one batter in the fourth inning and thus no longer had a perfect game may have actually eased the pressure somewhat, Turnbull said. It also meant that he didnt get flustered when he led off the ninth inning by walking Jose Marmolejos.

Two outs later, he was facing Mitch Haniger, who had twice hit him hard on a night when Turnbull was getting almost exclusively soft contact.

But it only took three pitches to strike him out. Fastball, slider, fastball.

I made probably the best three pitches I made all night, Turnbull said. I not only wanted to make my nastiest pitches, but I wanted to execute them as perfectly as possible.

Then the celebration was on. Turnbulls girlfriend was in Seattle and could share in the accomplishment.

That was really special. Im really, really thankful that she was here. Just a dream come true on probably the best day of my life, Turnbull said.

There was also a small group of fans behind the dugout who had good-naturedly razzed Turnbull in the first inning, predicting a no-hitter.

Afterwards, Turnbull shouted, You guys called it!

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Best night of my life: How Tigers Spencer Turnbull made history in Seattle - MLive.com