ESPN

In the aftermath of Mark Buehrle's perfect game last week, the second no-hitter of his career, SportsNation was rather divided as to whether or not he would throw another no-no during his career. For a long stretch Tuesday night against the Twins, it looked like he might throw another this month. No doubt, that would have perked up his Hall of Fame chances a bit.

Buehrle lost the perfect game on a walk and the no-hitter on a single, both in the sixth inning, but he did set a record by recording 45 consecutive outs between the two starts (a record previously shared by White Sox reliever Bobby Jenks and the immortal Jim Barr, who finished his career with a 101-112 career record). And while it's an impressive feat, SportsNation ranks it decidedly behind Orel Hershiser's 59 consecutive scoreless innings.

But putting aside the record Buehrle did set in defeat, where would a second consecutive no-hitter have ranked? Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak may be the most iconic single-season record in the game now that the home run record is mired in a morass of morality, but would seeing someone match that really be any better than seeing someone match Johnny Vander Meer's (that's him, above) back-to-back no-hitters?

• SportsNation predicts Twins finish second in AL Central, miss wild card.
• Wednesday's chats: Rob Neyer at 12 p.m. ET | Steve Phillips at 2:30 p.m. ET
• Groups: Chicago White Sox Fans | Minnesota TWINS!!!!!!!!!! | American League Central

“

This man is on fire.... Most of the time after a pitcher throws a no-hitter (not gonna mention perfect game), he usually doesn't come close to repeating performances. 45 straight outs is no easy feat (no pun intended) for anybody and absolutely amazing. Congrats Beurhle...

” -- tjdixon81

“

congratulations to mark buherle maybe now he gets the respect he deserves as one of baseballs better pitchers

” -- cbn2711