Mussels pitchers combine to throw franchise’s first no-hitter since 2011
FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 18, 2021) – Regi Grace Jr, Landon Leach, Brad Hanner and Matthew Swain combined to throw a seven-inning combined no-hitter Saturday, as the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels defeated the Tampa Tarpons 3-0 at Hammond Stadium. Saturday’s no-no was the first for the Fort Myers (59-54) franchise
FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 18, 2021) – Regi Grace Jr, Landon Leach, Brad Hanner and Matthew Swain combined to throw a seven-inning combined no-hitter Saturday, as the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels defeated the Tampa Tarpons 3-0 at Hammond Stadium.
Saturday’s no-no was the first for the Fort Myers (59-54) franchise since September 3, 2011 – when Alex Wimmers threw a seven-inning no-hitter against Jupiter. The only other no-hitter in franchise history (since 1992) came in 2007, when Yohan Pino tossed a seven-inning no-no against St. Lucie.
“I saw a huge competitive attitude out there,” said Grace Jr. “It’s just our pitching philosophy as an organization – throw nasty stuff in the zone. All four of us were just a little too nasty for them tonight.”
The Mussels’ pitchers finished just two batters over the minimum. Tampa’s (73-42) first base runner came in the fifth inning, a walk to Anthony Garcia. Jasson Dominguez was hit by a pitch in the sixth. In total, Fort Myers’ pitching staff retired 21 of the 23 batters they faced, striking out 11.
“I’m really, really proud of them,” pitching coach Carlos Hernandez said. “That doesn’t happen all the time. The way they did it today was awesome. Patrick Winkel did a great job behind the dish today, he deserves to be mentioned too.”
All four pitchers that spun Saturday’s no-hitter have dealt with significant adversity in their professional careers – no one more than Twins’ 2017 second round pick Landon Leach. Leach has overcome a slew of injuries that limited him to just 34 innings over his first four professional seasons.
“He’s had a rocky road since we drafted him – a lot of injuries,” Larson said. “Two shutout innings is icing on the cake for his season. Hopefully he rolls into the offseason and comes back nice and strong for 2022.”
Leach threw 17 of his 29 pitches for strikes, topping out at 94.4 mph on his fastball.
“Leach came out was just working really fast, not giving them a chance to catch their breath and keeping them off guard,” Mussels’ catcher Patrick Winkel said. “He put the ball where he wanted to put it.”
Grace Jr. started the game and spun three perfect innings, fanning four. Regi missed three months with a shoulder ailment – and has not allowed a run over 11 innings since returning from the injured list. He has struck out 15 while only allowing five base runners in that span.
“Regi was dominating with his fastball and then going to his curveball, keeping them off balance,” Winkel said.
Hanner put down the Tarpons in the sixth, facing the top third of a lineup that has led the league in virtually all offensive categories.
“I was just more focused on emptying the tank in my last outing,” Hanner said. “I just wanted to end the season on a high note, and I don’t think there’s any other way I’d want to do it.”
Swain worked the seventh, getting the final three outs in dominating fashion. He struck out all three batters he faced on just 12 pitches to notch his fifth save.
“I had a little chip on my shoulder,” said Swain. “I was just focusing and taking it pitch by pitch, trying to get strike one and eliminate hitters. Just trying to finish the season on a good note.”
Swain leads the Mussels’ active roster in both appearances (35) and innings (60.2), holding the opponents to a .194 batting average on the season.
“Swain just came in to close the door and was just blowing fastballs by them” Winkel said. “Everyone was great.”
The Mussels and Tarpons saw three of the first four games of the series get rained out, so both teams had a plethora of arms that needed work in Saturday’s doubleheader.
“We had a meeting before the game explaining how limited the innings are and to take advantage of your opportunities,” Mussels pitching coach Peter Larson said.
All four pitchers have spent the majority of the past 2-4 years working tirelessly at the Twins’ complex in Fort Myers – often rehabbing injuries and pitching in front of no fans.
“That’s what makes it more special,” Hernandez said. “To see them go home like that is going to be huge for them.”
The Mussels and Tarpons will wrap up the 2021 season at 12 p.m. on Sunday. Zarion Sharpe (6-2, 3.67) is scheduled to make the start for Fort Myers. Coverage begins at 11:45 a.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.
Arkansas-based Mariners affiliate to honor legacy of the Little Rock Nine
The Little Rock Nine sounds like it could be the name of a baseball team playing in Arkansas' capital city, and for three nights during the 2025 season, it will be. The story behind the name transcends baseball, however. From Aug. 21-23, the Arkansas Travelers -- Seattle's Double-A affiliate --
MiLB podcast breaks down Spring Training storylines
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Leaf Peepers? Thunder Chickens?! Coming to the Minors this year
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Dodgers greats Newcombe and Campanella made history as Minors teammates
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2006. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
15 prospects primed for a bounceback season from injury
A lot of players will be getting a fresh start heading into the 2025 season. Prospects who missed significant time due to injury have had upwards of six months between regular-season games to return to health. Now they'll be looking to re-establish their value and maybe even reach new heights.
Check out the newest Minor League team logos for 2025
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Here are 18 prospects who also starred on the gridiron
The two-time defending-champion Kansas City Chiefs are set to meet the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, and plenty of baseball prospects will be keeping a close eye. After all, many current Minor Leaguers played football at a high level before committing fully to the diamond. No, there aren't any
Did you know the Superdome was once home to a Minor League team?
On Sunday, one of the world’s most-watched sporting events will take place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Believe it or not, decades before Super Bowl LIX came to town, the same building was home to a Minor League Baseball team for one season. The 1977 Triple-A New Orleans Pelicans
How a Black pitcher's brief PCL stint in 1916 generated a historic card
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2010. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
The Show Before the Show: Episode 489
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minors legend Jones still holds batting record
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2008. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers. Grover "Deacon" Jones spent more than a half-century in baseball, serving the game at almost every level and in
Hooks have a new look -- and more -- on the line for 20th season
In advance of a milestone season at Whataburger Field, the Corpus Christi Hooks are making a change. The Houston Astros' Double-A affiliate unveiled new logos and uniforms on Friday evening, marking the first time they have significantly altered their look since debuting in 2005. According to Hooks general manager Brady
Here's how Jackie Robinson fueled Montreal to a Minor League title in 1946
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2006. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
They're due! MiLB's longest active title droughts
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
These players could earn teams extra Draft picks in 2025
Since the Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) was implemented under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, four players have earned their clubs extra Draft picks. The PPI rewards teams for promoting their best prospects to the big leagues at the start of the season, enabling them to earn a Draft pick if
Each team's best non-Top 100 prospect
There just isn't enough room to fit all the worthy talents on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list. We unveiled our latest rankings last Friday, and now we're going to spotlight the best prospect in each farm system who couldn't quite make the cut. We undertook the same exercise last
MiLB collaborates with Stand Up To Cancer
Minor League Baseball announced a new collaboration with Stand Up To Cancer® (SU2C), an organization that funds the development of new and promising cancer treatments to help patients today. Founded in 2008, SU2C raises awareness and funds research to detect and treat cancers with the aspiration to cure all patients.
These are the best tools on the new Top 100 Prospects list
Players featured on last year’s edition of the best tools among Top 100 prospects should look familiar to even casual baseball fans at this point. Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes (best fastball, slider) took the Major Leagues by storm as the NL Rookie of the Year, thanks to his hard-throwing ways
Answering your Top 100 Prospects list questions
MLB Pipeline released its new Top 100 Prospects list on Friday, and it was met with a bevy of questions and comments about fans' favorite prospects. To help make sense of all the inquiries, Pipeline's Jonathan Mayo took to Reddit and responded to fan questions in a Top 100 Prospect-focused
Here are every organization's Top 100 prospects for 2025
MLB Pipeline’s 2025 Top 100 Prospects list went live on Friday night, led by the newest Dodger, right-hander Roki Sasaki, Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony and Twins outfielder Walker Jenkins. There’s a lot of offensive firepower throughout the list, beyond those two outfielders at the top, but while the bats
Check out MLB Pipeline's 2025 Top 100 Prospects list
He was one of the most sought-after talents this offseason, and he hadn’t even played stateside ball yet. Now, he can add another bullet point to his already lengthy baseball resume. Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki tops MLB Pipeline’s 2025 preseason ranking of the Top 100 prospects, followed by Red Sox
The Show Before the Show: Episode 488
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Get ready to cheer for ... the Bathtub Donkeys?
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to The Baseball Traveler newsletter here.
These are MLB’s No. 1 prospects at each position
MLB Pipeline's 2025 rankings of the Top 10 prospects at each position are official and the 2025 Top 100 Prospects list will be revealed at 7 p.m. ET on Friday on MLB Network and MLB.com.