Is there anything more nail-biting than the final innings of a no-hit bid?
There are few things that bring the tension, drama and superstition out of players and fans alike when a pitcher is vying for some history on the mound. In 2019, there were more than a few memorable
Is there anything more nail-biting than the final innings of a no-hit bid?
There are few things that bring the tension, drama and superstition out of players and fans alike when a pitcher is vying for some history on the mound. In 2019, there were more than a few memorable moments that fit this category.
But here are four of the most memorable such milestones you can watch during the MiLB.TV free preview. Head over to Twitter to vote on which one will be streamed on YouTube and Facebook this Thursday!
Baumann anchors Baysox
During an April 30 start, eighth-ranked Orioles prospect Michael Baumann came within one out of twirling his first professional no-hitter in a seven-inning contest. Given another chance to complete the feat in a nine-inning game on July 16 for Double-A Bowie, the right-hander delivered. Baumann had not been on the mound in the ninth as a Minor Leaguer yet, but finished the task at hand with a flourish. In his fifth Eastern League outing, the right-hander needed only 94 pitches in a "Maddux" effort to work through the Harrisburg lineup and complete Bowie's first nine-inning no-hitter since 2007. On his final pitch, Baumann froze Michael A. Taylor for his 10th strikeout of the night. Overall, the former third-round pick walked two and at one point retired 19 batters in a row, facing one over the minimum to end this historic night at Prince George's Stadium. Full story | Highlight | Watch game
Garcia, Thunder combine on gem
Deivi Garcia had thrilled fans with his electric fastball throughout the season, although it's hard to argue he contributed more than when he helped Double-A Trenton record a no-hitter against Reading on June 24. The No. 3 Yankees prospect, limited to 92 pitches (56 strikes), tossed five innings before giving way to relievers Domingo Acevedo and Daniel Alvarez, who finished the job. In the words of Thunder manager Pat Osborn, Garcia "oozes confidence" and did not falter even after hitting the leadoff batter in the first. Garcia settled in and whiffed nine, issuing two walks. It was one of five scoreless starts Garcia recorded in 2019. Acevedo issued a walk in two frames, while Alvarez also went two and worked around a one-out free pass in the ninth. For Garcia, it was another bullet point in a long list of accomplishments in which he became an Eastern League All-Star and Futures Game selection. Full story | Highlight | Watch game
Future is now for Anderson
Speaking of the Futures Game, Ian Anderson was named to the squad on June 28. A few hours later, the right-hander made the selection look even better as he fanned a career-best 14 on the way to a no-hitter for Double-A Mississippi. He had the strikeout pitch working for seven frames, tying the M-Braves' record set in 2008. He hit a batter, walked two and had to work around two errors, but Anderson kept Jackson out of the hit and run columns in the Braves' 2-0 shutout. The No. 3 Braves prospect struck out the side twice and whiffed at least one in every inning he pitched. It was one of three double-digit strikeout performances in 2019 for Anderson, who fanned at least nine on eight occasions. Braves No. 27 prospect Jeremy Walker took over in the eighth and punched out two in two perfect frames to complete Mississippi's first no-hitter in nine years. Full story | Highlight | Watch game
Zeuch joins Colon in Bisons record book
In 1997, Bartolo Colon became the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter for Triple-A Buffalo, and he stood alone in that category until Aug. 19 when he was joined by T.J. Zeuch, who twirled a nine-inning no-no at Rochester. "That's pretty awesome company to be in," Zeuch told MiLB.com. The 2016 first-rounder worked around a walk and hit a batter while going the distance in a 3-0 shutout of the Red Wings. Although Zeuch recorded only three strikeouts, the right-hander showed he was in complete command by throwing 73 of 114 pitches for strikes. He recorded 15 groundouts, including two in the final inning. Fittingly, Zeuch induced a weak comebacker from Drew Maggi for the final out. The no-hitter was his first and only complete game of 2019 and the third of his professional career. Full story | Highlight | Watch game
