Daniel Norris throws five perfect innings before leaving game at pitch count

There were not a lot of expectations for Detroit starter Daniel Norris going into his second start Tuesday since returning from an oblique injury that sidelined him for the better part of a month.

But Norris gave Detroit fans and the organization something to be excited about when he was taken out of the game after reaching his pitch count in the fifth inning with a perfect game intact. Four relievers followed Norris and nearly tossed a combined no-hitter.

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Some will certainly question not allowing the 22-year-old lefty to chase history, but there is no sense risking his future or the investment the Tigers have made in him over the unlikely possibility of him making it through four more innings without giving up a walk or hit.

Norris struck out four, throwing 63 pitches, including 41 strikes. Buck Farmer replaced Norris in the top of the sixth and kept the perfect game going with a 1-2-3 inning and two strikeouts. The perfect game was lost in the seventh when Ian Krol hit Adam Eaton with a pitch on the arm. The no-hitter remained intact through the seventh.

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A replay review in the eighth inning showed White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez was incorrectly called safe at first base on a ground ball to third and a high throw across the diamond. Detroit first baseman Miguel Cabrera tagged Ramirez before he touched the base and the no-hitter carried into the ninth, allowing reliever Drew VerHagen a sigh of relief.

Neftali Feliz came on in  the ninth inning and retired one batter before giving up the first hit, a triple by Tyler Saladino who scored when Eaton singled to right to tie the game.

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Kyle Ringo is a contributing writer to Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @KyleRingo