The Dodgers’ ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto was a single out away from shutting down the Orioles for 8 2/3 innings, chasing the team’s first no-hitter in years, but unfortunately gave up a two-out homer to rookie Jackson Holliday, ending the no-hit dream. The manager turned to Blake Treinen, who lost command and loaded the bases, and then came Tanner Scott — the Dodgers’ $72 million closer — to save.

But Scott surrendered a walk-off two-run single on his third pitch and Baltimore won, 4-3. So, when manager Dave Roberts was asked whether or not he would consider pulling Scott out of the closer role? He pointed to rookie Edgardo Henriquez as an example.

“I just don’t feel that Edgardo Henriquez, for example, throwing 10 major-league innings, is now the savior. There’s a track record. There’s a trust, a confidence in a certain player, players that have earned it.” Robert continued, “There’s also giving guys opportunities to continue to earn opportunities and not think that they’re a savior when they’ve thrown 10 innings in the major leagues.”

Roberts wasn’t defending Scott so much as admitting the Dodgers were stuck with him, and it set the stage for what came next.

Monday night in Los Angeles, the Dodgers were on the verge of making history once again against the Colorado Rockies. Starter Tyler Glasnow completed a no-hitter in seven innings while striking out 11 batters (21 in his career with at least 10K) in 105 pitches. Blake Treinen, redeemed from his Baltimore disaster, pitched a perfect eighth. The stage was set for the combined no-hitter, something not seen since 2018, and the task was given to Tanner Scott for the final three outs.

But Scott’s third pitch was smacked for a double, and the no-hitter was gone. The Dodgers still won 3-1, and Scott did record his 21st save. But the story of the night was what slipped away — again, with the ball in Scott’s hand.

Fresh off their 2024 World Series victory, the Dodgers signed Scott for a four-year, $72 million contract. The intention was to repeat his last year’s 1.75 ERA with 22 saves and 84 strikeouts. But this season so far has been a regression with a 4.56 ERA and 1.216 WHIP through 52 appearances.

But why are the Dodgers relying on Scott?

They didn’t have any alternative. Treinen clearly isn’t the alternative, and Alex Vesia?

He’s currently sidelined with a right oblique strain. But he’s more of a middle reliever or set-up man, even when available. It left the team with Kirby Yates or Michael Kopech.

But Yates (with 4.71 and 1.27 WHIP)—and Kopech (with 1.08 WHIP) — aren’t trustworthy this year. And pitchers like Jack Dreyer, Ben Casparius, and Justin Wrobleski come under the less-experienced category, like Henriquez. Probably, that’s all that accumulates to keeping the team’s cards on Tanner Scott.

Now, coming back to the recent record, so far, no team in baseball has thrown a no-hitter this year. And for the Dodgers, the wait continues. Their most recent combined no-hitter record happened on May 4, 2018, in Mexico. It was a combined effort of Walker Buehler, Tony Cingrani, Yimi Garcia, and Adam Liberatore in a 4-0 win over the Padres.

On the other hand, the Rockies haven’t been held hitless since June 18, 2014. Last time, Clayton Kershaw did it all by himself in an 8-0 victory.

The Dodgers are just 3-7 in their last 10 games. And they are clinging to a razor-thin 1.0 game lead over the Padres with a 79-64 record. But their current surge in starting pitching has allowed them to achieve a rare combined no-hitter chance on a back-to-back day. The Dodgers have only 23 overall combined no-hitters and one no-hitter while allowing one run.

Given that, can we witness another no-hitter game this season? Let time tell…