BRADENTON, Fla. — After the last out was recorded, there was little celebration or recognition of what just happened.
Catcher Maverick Handley didn’t rush the mound to embrace pitcher Riley Cooper. The infielders didn’t tackle Cooper in front of the mound. No one from the dugout dumped the Gatorade cooler on Cooper’s head.
Those theatrics would’ve felt silly in a spring training game, but the game being insignificant doesn’t alter the improbability of what the Orioles did Saturday. Seven pitchers — starter Zach Eflin, five relievers and Cooper — threw a combined no-hitter to lead Baltimore to a 4-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Orioles win 4-0 over the Pirates.
Seven pitchers combined to throw the first spring training no-hitter in Orioles history. Zach Eflin, Gregory Soto, Yennier Cano, Cionel Perez, Bryan Baker, Roansy Contreras and Riley Cooper.
Here’s Cooper slamming the door: pic.twitter.com/VqCIcXiN32
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) March 22, 2025
It marks the first spring training no-hitter in Orioles history. The last MLB team to throw a no-no during spring training was the Chicago Cubs in 2023. Three years before moving to Baltimore, the St. Louis Browns pitched a no-hitter in 1951.
Eflin started the game and pitched three innings, allowing only one walk. Gregory Soto, Yennier Cano, Cionel Pérez, Bryan Baker and Roansy Contreras followed with scoreless frames to put the fate of the no-no in Cooper’s hands.
The 2023 draftee then slammed the door to secure the no-hitter.
This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Calvin Meyer at jameyer@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/JCalvinMeyer.