The Chicago Cubs’ Lon Warneke fell just two outs shy of tossing the majors’ first Opening Day no-hitter, 85 years ago today.
Warneke got the start against the Cincinnati Reds at Crosley Field on April 17, 1934, and pitched a gem through eight, putting up a zero in the H column while striking out a dozen and walking just two. Warneke fanned Reds pinch-hitter Ernie Lombardi to kick off the ninth before left fielder Adam Comorosky hit a single up the middle to break up the no-hitter.
sWarneke had to settle for a one-hit, complete-game shutout as the Cub topped the Reds 6-0. The Cleveland Indians’ Bob Feller would throw the majors’ first Opening Day no-hitter six years later.
