Braves no-hit Sand Gnats

James Parr and Angelo Burrows combined on the first nine-inning no-hitter in Rome Braves history on Tuesday night, shutting down the Savannah Sand Gnats, 5-0, at Grayson Stadium.

Parr was dominant for eight innings, walking two and recording a season-high nine strikeouts. He retired the first nine batters before hitting Rogearvin Bernadina leading off the fourth. One out later, Parr picked off Bernadina but walked Edgardo Baez before striking out Luke Montz to begin another run of 10 consecutive outs.

That run ended in the eighth with a leadoff walk by Steve Mortimer, who was erased on a double play. After retiring Ofilio Castro on a groundout on his 98th pitch, Parr (5-3) exited.

"As the game went on, I was aware of what was happening, but I was trying not to think about it," Parr told the Rome News Tribune. "I wanted to go back out for the ninth, but I knew (manager) Rocket (Wheeler) has rules he has to follow.

"I was just glad to be a part of it. It was exciting."

Burrows got in immediate trouble in the bottom of the ninth when Trey Webb reached on an error by third baseman Van Pope and Reginald Fitzpatrick walked. But Bernadina struck out and Ian Desmond and Edgardo Baez flied out to end the gem.

The Braves' only other no-hitter came in a rain-shortened, five-inning 1-0 loss against Capital City on July 27, 2004.

It was the second time in less than a month that the Sand Gnats were no-hit victims. On May 19, they were held without a hit, but parlayed five walks, two hit batters and two wild pitches into a 4-3 victory over the Greenville Bombers in the second game of a doubleheader.