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Tony Vitello almost experienced an incredible spring training moment, but one of his former Tennessee players ruined it

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated Mar 16, 2026 1:23 PM ET

San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello almost experienced a rare spring training moment this past weekend, but one of his former Tennessee Vols players ruined it.

The Giants took on the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday and nearly threw the first no-hitter of spring training.

San Francisco took a perfect game into the 9th inning before it was lost via walk.

The Giants, however, still had a chance for the no-hitter, but Brewers infielder Blake Burke, a former Vols baseball standout, had other ideas.

Burke broke up the no-hitter with a two-out single, robbing Vitello and the Giants of a cool spring moment.

The Giants were one out away from a spring training perfect game. Then Cooper Pratt drew a walk and Blake Burke — against his former coach Tony Vitello! — breaks up the no-no.

What an afternoon! pic.twitter.com/fKp47B5ci6
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) March 15, 2026

After the game, Burke said it was the first time he's been nervous at the plate in a while.

"I felt like I couldn't even feel my legs," said Burke.

Blake Burke on denying his old coach a Cactus League no-hitter: “That’s the first time I’ve been nervous at the plate for a while.” pic.twitter.com/Bv54Wke0OV
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) March 15, 2026

A no-hitter in spring training isn't nearly as special as a regular-season no-hitter, but it still would've been a pretty cool moment for Vitello. And it's definitely wild that Burke, of all players, was the one to break it up.

That won't be Vitello's last run-in with a former Vol -- there are plenty of former Tennessee players finding success in the big leagues these days.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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