CC Sabathia throws no-hit ball through seven

New York Yankees’ CC Sabathia is congratulated as he heads to the dugout during the third inning of Game 4 of the American League Championship baseball series against the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

AP

Yankees ace CC Sabathia delivered 7 2/3 innings of no-hit baseball on Saturday against the Rays. He cruised through the Tampa lineup with the the help of some excellent defensive plays and came close to making history before catcher Kelly Shoppach blooped a single to left field in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The 29-year-old Sabathia controlled his fastball and changeup with ease, tallying five strikeouts against two walks. But with an 8-0 lead, the big man was removed immediately after the Shoppach hit.

Sabathia surrendered five earned runs and two walks over 5 1/3 innings during his 2010 debut last week against the Red Sox. His ERA now sits at 3.46 and his WHIP stands at an impressive 0.85.