Mets' J.D. Martinez Breaks Up Braves' No-Hit Bid With Two Outs in Ninth Inning

Patrick Andres | May 11, 2024

May 4, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez (28). / Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

It seems hard to believe that the Atlanta Braves, for all their pitching success over the last three decades, have not had a no-hitter since 1994.

And yet! The last time the Braves held their opponents hitless came on April 8 of that year, when pitcher Kent Mercker shut out the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–0. All told, Atlanta has only 14 no-no's since its 1876 founding.

On Saturday against the New York Mets, the Braves produced a strong bid for immortality. Pitcher Max Fried walked three and struck out five in seven innings before passing the baton to Joe Jiménez, who worked around two walks to pitch a hitless eighth.

In the ninth, Raisel Iglesias struck out Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and induced a groundout from first baseman Pete Alonso. And then designated hitter J.D. Martinez happened.

J.D. Martinez homers to break up the Braves combined no-hit bid with 2 outs in the 9th! pic.twitter.com/nZmXXLDwvh

— MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2024

Did Martinez's home run—his first with his new team—key a New York rally? It did not, as three batters later Atlanta polished off a 4–1 victory.

If the Braves prove to have the Mets' number again this season, New York can hang its hat on denying Atlanta a slice of history.