Boston Red Sox: A look at the top no-hitters in franchise history
By Rick McNair
On April 27th of 2002, the Red Sox mauled the than Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Fenway Park by a 10-0 score. The highlight was not the score, but a Derek Lowe no-hitter. This was a tie with the Buchholz no-hitter for the most prodigious offensive output of a no-no.
The Saturday game was televised and Lowe faced only one above the minimum by allowing a walk to Brent Abernathy on a 3-1 pitch in the top of the third. That was it for Tampa as Lowe struck out six in gaining his fourth victory of the young season.
The Red Sox offense jumped on Tampa for six runs in the third inning and finished the game with 13 hits. The offensive outburst left the only suspense in the game up to Lowe and his no-hit march. Both the eighth and ninth innings went quietly for TB and Lowe had his no-hitter.
In 2002 Lowe had moved into the rotation after being a closer and actually leading the American League in saves (42) in 2000. In 2001, Lowe went 5-10 with six blown saves, but did have three starts. Lowe’s 2002 was a spectacular performance as he finished 21-8 with a 2.58 ERA and finishing third in the Cy Young Award.