No one has a thrown a no-hitter since Randy Johnson threw a complete-game in 2004. Washington Nationals starter Ramon Ortiz was three outs from changing that fact.

Ortiz took a no-no into the ninth inning against the Cardinals, but St. Louis shortstop Aaron Miles ended Ortiz’s bid with a leadoff base hit. Albert Pujols later homered to give the Redbirds their only run of the evening. Not only was Ortiz dominant on the mound, but he had his hit stick ready too, going 2-for-3 including a home run in the eighth as the Nationals won 4-1.

Brian Schneider was the only National starter to go hitless. Ortiz was the only to have multiple hits. Austin Kearns drove in two RBI.

Jason Marquis was saddled with the loss tossing seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits.