Rookie left-hander Parker Messick is authoring a storybook night for the Cleveland Guardians, taking a no-hitter through six dominant innings against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. The 25-year-old has been nearly untouchable, striking out eight batters while walking two and needing just 72 pitches to silence one of the league's more potent lineups.

After issuing a leadoff walk to Taylor Ward, Messick found a devastating rhythm, retiring the next 15 Orioles in order. His quest for history has been aided by stellar defense, including a leaping catch at the wall by Steven Kwan in the third inning and a slick play deep in the hole by José Ramírez to end the fifth.

Messick, a 2022 draft pick out of Florida State, entered the game with impressive credentials—a 2-0 record and a microscopic 0.51 ERA in his first three starts this season. The Guardians' offense provided crucial support early, with Ramírez launching a two-run homer in the first inning and Kwan adding an RBI single in the fifth for a 3-0 lead.

The magnitude of this performance cannot be overstated. Messick is chasing the first no-hitter in Major League Baseball this season and attempting to end one of the longest droughts in the sport. The Guardians' last no-hitter was Len Barker's perfect game in 1981, over four decades ago.