Homer Bailey tosses Reds no-hitter

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey joined a very elite club Tuesday, tossing the second no-hitter of his career and leading his team to a 3-0 victory over San Francisco.

No-hitters are already fairly rare -- only a few happen each year -- but Bailey's was extra special in that, not only was his the first of the 2013 season, he also threw the last in 2012.

Only four active pitchers, and 31 pitchers ever, have thrown multiple no-hitters.

After the game, Bailey giddily recalled a conversation with teammate Joey Votto during spring training.

"We were in the bathroom before we go out to the field, and he said, 'Do you think you can throw another no-hitter?'" Bailey said. "I said, 'Do you think you can win another MVP?' He said yes. 'Well so can I.' I meant it joking, I didn't think it would happen. Guess I got lucky again."

Bailey's first, on September 28, was in Pittsburgh. But on Tuesday, the Reds played at home.

"This one's a little different, being in Cincinnati," Bailey said. "We just kind of went one pitch at a time. At the end, I just kind of looked at the glove and threw it as hard as I could, I guess."

The 27-year-old hurler tore through the Giants order, tossing 109 pitches, including nine strikeouts. He also gave up one walk to Gregor Blanco -- the only at-bat keeping him from a perfect game.

"I thought he had the stuff to do it," said Ryan Hanigan, who caught the game for Bailey and was also behind the plate for Bailey's no-no in Pittsburgh. "Don't get me wrong, we're super grateful and happy for this, but he had the stuff to [go perfect], and that at-bat just got a little bit away from him, I think."

Aside from Reds fans, pizza lovers are also cheering Bailey's performance. Domino's Pizza is giving away 10,000 free pizzas to celebrate the no-hitter at 3 p.m. Eastern Wednesday. The promotion will also be honored for the second no-no of the season.