A dominant Jordan Lyles came five outs from recording the first no-hitter in Padres history in Tuesday afternoon's 4-0 win over the Rockies. He was perfect for 7 1/3 innings until Trevor Story's one-out single in the eighth inning.
It was the latest in a long history of close calls for San Diego pitchers. Here's a look at a few of the most famous near no-hitters in franchise history.
July 21, 1970
Perhaps the most infamous of the Padres' no-hit bids, Clay Kirby was sitting on eight no-hit frames against the Mets when manager Preston Gomez lifted him for a pinch-hitter. San Diego trailed, 1-0, at the time, and Cito Gaston would strike out in Kirby's place. The no-hitter came to an end in the top of the ninth when Bud Harrelson led off with a single. The Padres would lose the game, 3-0.
July 18, 1972
Only once have the Padres found themselves within one out of sealing the deal. Right-hander Steve Arlin had tossed 8 2/3 innings of no-hit ball when Phillies second baseman Denny Doyle strode to the plate in the ninth. Padres skipper Don Zimmer brought third baseman Dave Roberts in to guard against a bunt or a slow grounder. Doyle hit a chopper that bounced over Roberts' head. Flustered, Arlin allowed the run to score on a balk and a single, but he would record the final out of a 5-1 victory.
Sept. 22, 2006
Right-hander Chris Young -- who competed for a rotation place alongside Ross in Padres camp this spring -- carried a no-no into the ninth inning against the Pirates at Petco Park. With one out, pinch-hitter Joe Randa launched a two-run homer off Young, who would strike out the next hitter before exiting after 8 2/3 innings of one-hit ball. The Padres won, 6-2.
Sept. 7, 2008
Two years later, Young again flirted with history -- this time a perfect game. For 7 2/3 innings, Young did not allow a baserunner in Milwaukee. He was sitting on only 75 pitches when Gabe Kapler took him deep with a 1-0 fastball. Young would later polish off a complete-game two-hitter and a 10-1 Padres victory.
July 9, 2011
Aaron Harang worked six no-hit innings against the Dodgers, and each of the next three relievers -- Josh Spence, Chad Qualls and Mike Adams -- would follow suit. But the Padres couldn't muster any offense of their own, and they headed to the bottom of the ninth inning locked in a scoreless tie. Luke Gregerson recorded two outs before Juan Uribe broke up the no-no with a double. The next batter, Dioner Navarro, doubled Uribe home, and the Dodgers walked off with a 1-0 win. It was only the second time the Padres had brought a no-hitter two outs deep into the ninth inning.
April 20, 2018
Earlier this season in Arizona, Tyson Ross took his no-hit bid one batter further than Lyles. With two outs in the eighth, D-backs outfielder Christian Walker sent a line drive to straightaway center field. Off the bat, the play appeared routine, but center fielder Franchy Cordero broke inward at first. By the time he recovered, it was too late, and the ball soared over his head for a game-tying double. The Padres would rally for three runs in the ninth and a 4-1 victory.