Gavin Williams takes a no-hitter into the 9th for the Guardians vs. the Mets on Aug 7, 2025. See how Juan Soto's homer ended the bid in a 4-1 CLE win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The air in Progressive Field was electric. Every fan was on their feet, phone cameras out, holding their breath with every pitch. For eight innings, Gavin Williams was untouchable. In the ninth, he stood just two outs away from immortality, on the verge of pitching the Cleveland Guardians' first no-hitter in over four decades. While Juan Soto would ultimately break up the bid with a solo homer, the feeling was not disappointment, but awe. Williams delivered a masterful 4-1 victory, completing a three-game sweep of the Mets and etching his name into Cleveland lore.
So close to history. Gavin Williams, you made us proud.
It was a performance for the ages. For 8.1 innings, Gavin Williams was simply masterful, silencing a potent Mets lineup. He carved through batter after batter, his pitch count climbing but his resolve never wavering. His 126 pitches were the most thrown by any MLB pitcher in nearly two years, a testament to his stamina and the trust manager Stephen Vogt placed in him. The dream of a no-hitter, something Cleveland hasn't seen since Len Barker's perfect game in 1981, ended with one out in the ninth on a homer by Juan Soto. But the crowd's standing ovation as he walked off the mound said it all. It wasn't a perfect game, but it was a legendary one.
While Williams was the star, the Guardians' offense provided the crucial early support that allowed him to attack. David Fry set the tone in the 2nd inning, launching a 422-foot solo home run to get the scoring started. An inning later, Angel Martínez broke the game open with a two-run shot of his own. For good measure, Gabriel Arias legged out an RBI triple in the 6th, scoring Carlos Santana and giving Cleveland a comfortable 4-0 cushion. It was a complete team win, with the bats ensuring Williams' historic effort would not be in vain.
This wasn't just one incredible game; it was the exclamation point on a dominant three-game sweep that pushed the Guardians to 59-55. The team is clicking at the right time. The energy from Williams' performance is palpable, and it comes as the roster gets an infusion of new talent. The recent call-up of top prospect C.J. Kayfus, a potent left-handed bat destined for right field, and the waiver claim of RHP Carlos Hernandez show the front office is committed to making a run. This team isn't just winning games; they're building the kind of momentum that can carry a team deep into October.
As the dust settles on one of the most thrilling games of the 2025 season, the takeaway is clear: the Guardians are a force to be reckoned with. Gavin Williams' near-historic performance will be talked about for years, but its immediate impact is to galvanize a team already on the rise. With a confident ace on the mound, a capable offense, and fresh talent joining the ranks, the road ahead looks bright. The sweep is over, but the message has been sent.
