Who is the owner of the strongest pitching performance of the 2010 baseball season? Either one of Roy Halladay’s starts is a candidate. So is Tim Lincecum’s last start against the Atlanta Braves and CC Sabathia’s one-hit masterpiece against the Tampa Bay Rays.

But, trumping all those starts from certifiable aces was Ricky Romero’s near no-hitter of the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday.

Romero, the No. 6 overall pick by the Blue Jays in the 2005 amateur draft, took a no-no into the eighth inning of the game before allowing a home run to former teammate Alex Rios, who said he has “mixed feelings” about breaking it up.

“It’s another team that you have to play and beat,” Rios said, “but, at the same time, you know the guy.”

Rios has no need to feel sorry for Romero, though, as the lefty had the best game of his career. Romero struck out a career-high 12 batters and walked just two over eight innings. The only mistake he made was a 1-2 offering to Rios, which he promptly lifted into the left field seats.

It was Romero’s second great start in a row to open the 2010 season. Against the Texas Rangers in his first start, Romero allowed just one earned run over seven innings.

In his two starts this season, Romero has a 1.80 ERA, given up just six hits and 16 strikeouts to just four walks. He has a WHIP of 0.67, second lowest in the majors.

With his next start coming against the Angels, who rank 10th in the American League in runs scored, there is no reason for Romero to be on your bench come Sunday. Actually, there is no reason for Romero to on your bench at all until he gives you a good reason to do it.

The young Romero (25 years old) is likely to struggle at some point, but for now just keep riding his surprising wave of success.