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Focused Saladino breaks up no-no

Rookie ignites game-tying rally with one-out triple

DETROIT -- Tyler Saladino's triple to left-center with one out in the ninth inning Tuesday night at Comerica Park broke up what would have been the first combined no-hitter thrown against the White Sox in franchise history.

That line shot off of a 1-1 slider from Tigers reliever Neftali Feliz also featured extra significance to Saladino and the White Sox. It gave the visitors a chance to erase their one-run deficit during a contest they eventually lost, 2-1 in 10 innings.

"It's not so much about breaking up the no-hitter," the rookie said postgame. "I mean, it's a big blow for the other team because if you are on the other end of it, you would love to see a no-hitter.

"But it's not like we are up there thinking, 'Let's just break up the no-hitter.' We are trying to win the game. It's not about the hit. It's about putting a run on the board."

Video: CWS@DET: Eaton ties game in 9th with RBI single

There wasn't much down time before the White Sox tied the game. Three pitches after Saladino connected, Adam Eaton grounded a single between a drawn-in first baseman Miguel Cabrera and second baseman Ian Kinsler and to score Saladino.

Prior to that moment, the White Sox had gone down rather quietly against four Tigers hurlers.

Daniel Norris, who was on a strict pinch count while working his way back from a strained left oblique, threw 63 pitches over five perfect innings. Buck Farmer hurled a perfect sixth, and despite Eaton being hit by a pitch to open the seventh, Ian Krol maintained the no-hitter.

Drew VerHagen had the benefit of a video review, ruling Cabrera tagged Alexei Ramirez on his grounder to third, to help him through an easy eighth. Then, it was Feliz's turn.

Video: CWS@DET: Saladino breaks up no-no with triple

Pinch-hitter J.B. Shuck started with a routine grounder to second. But there was nothing routine about Saladino's fourth triple. By Saladino's recollection, he had never broken up a no-hitter this late in the game or been the victim of an opposing team's zip job.

"Get something going, you know. It's the ninth inning and I guess it's rally time or whatever you want to call it," Saladino said. "Just battle. Last inning, last chance. Just make something happen."

"At the time, you're glad you're not getting no-hit," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "Then you score to tie it up to even make it better, but everybody is aware of that."

Rajai Davis' two-out triple scored Anthony Gose with the game-winner in the 10th, and yet another Jose Quintana quality start went for waste. He has a Major League-high 51 no-decisions since '12.

This night primarily was about the combined no-hitter that almost was for the Tigers. In a strange twist, both Ventura and Tigers manager Brad Ausmus played in Houston's six-pitcher no-hitter against the Yankees on June 11, 2003.

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin and listen to his podcast.
Read More: Chicago White Sox, Tyler Saladino, Adam Eaton