Spring, TX native Josh Beckett pitches first no-hitter this season

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Spring, Texas native Josh Beckett pitched the first no-hitter of his stellar career and the first in the majors this season, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Philadelphia Phillies 6-0 on Sunday.

Beckett struck out six, walked three and didn't come close to allowing a hit against a lineup that included two former NL MVPs and four former All-Stars.

"I don't think I had no-hit stuff," Beckett said. "I just really kept them guessing."

The 34-year-old right-hander, whose career was almost derailed last year by a nerve condition that left him unable to feel his fingertips, threw 128 pitches and fanned Chase Utley on a called strike three to end the game. Beckett mixed a sharp fastball with a slow, deceptive curve that kept hitters off-balance.

He pitched the Dodgers' first no-hitter since Hideo Nomo beat Colorado at Coors Field in 1996, and the 21st in franchise history.

Beckett pitched the first no-hitter in the majors since Miami's Henderson Alvarez did it against Detroit on the final day of the 2013 season.

Beckett also became the first visiting pitcher to throw a no-hitter in Philadelphia since Montreal's Bill Stoneman stopped the Phillies on April 17, 1969, at Connie Mack Stadium.All of the defensive plays behind Beckett were routine.

Last July, Beckett had a rib removed in thoracic outlet syndrome surgery to fix a condition that was affecting his right arm. He went 0-5 with a 5.19 ERA in eight games in 2013.Beckett (3-1) started this season on the disabled list with a thumb injury, raising more doubts about how effective he would be this season. A three-time All-Star, Beckett was the MVP of the 2003 World Series for the Marlins, capping off their championship run by pitching a five-hit shutout in the clinching Game 6 at Yankee Stadium.