(670 The Score) White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu is the reigning American League MVP, a three-time All-Star, a dangerous slugger and the beating heart of his clubhouse.
But the odds weren't in Abreu's favor for doing that in the ninth inning Wednesday, when he helped White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon secure a no-hitter with an improbable scoop and stretch to first base for the 25th of 27th outs.
Leading off the top of the ninth inning, Indians right fielder Josh Naylor, a left-hander hitter, slapped a slow bouncer toward Abreu at first base. Naylor got a running start out of the box, and Rodon wasn't able to cover the base in time. Abreu had to handle it himself, and he did so in dramatic fashion.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Abreu secured the bouncing ball and pivoted toward first base, lunging his right foot to the base a split-second before Naylor's head-first dive. The call from first base umpire Brian Knight was out, and video replay confirmed it.
Rodon completed his first career no-hitter by retiring Indians leadoff hitter Jordan Luplow on a hard groundball to third baseman Yoan Moncada, who threw across the diamond to Abreu.
"Hell of a hustle from Naylor, obviously," Rodon said of that play by Abreu. "And then a hell of a play, the sliding tag into first, which freaked me out because I didn't want him to blow out his knee. I was kind of concerned about that.
"Unbelievable play. A play that led to the no-hitter. Without that play, we don't get there."
Rodon's no-hitter was the 20th in White Sox franchise history and the first since ace Lucas Giolito did so against the Pirates last Aug. 25. The White Sox scored six runs in the first inning Wednesday en route to their 8-0 victory against the Indians.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.