Povse puts up zeros in Travelers' debut

As first impressions go, Max Povse could not have done much better.
The Mariners' No. 6 prospect carried a no-hit bid into the sixth Friday before giving up two hits over seven scoreless innings in Double-A Arkansas 6-1 victory over Corpus Christi at Dickey-Stephens Park.

Making his first regular-season start in Seattle's organization after an offseason trade from Atlanta, the right-hander set down the first 12 batters before issuing a leadoff walk to Jon Singleton in the fifth. Povse (1-0) then retired the next five batters.
"I just tried to keep making pitches," he said. "My defense played unbelievable behind me tonight. I'll give a big shout-out to them."
Box score
One night earlier, Travelers righty Andrew Moore lost a chance at a no-hitter with two outs in the sixth. Like his teammate, the 18th out proved to be the most difficult for Povse as he surrendered a two-out single to No. 8 Astros prospect Ramón Laureano in the sixth.
The pair likely won't commiserate over their similar misfortunes.
"I don't think so," the 23-year-old Povse said with a laugh. "I was happy for him. He pitched unbelievably well. Just tried to match it. Over the season, I feel like we'll have a few more opportunities like that to carry it out a little bit longer.
"Just left a fastball up a little bit and [Laureano] put a good swing on it. I think we went fastball-breaking ball that just missed, and then went back to the fastball and he was on it. You got to tip the cap to him."
Povse retired Garrett Stubbs on a groundout to end the inning and struck out the side in the seventh to wrap up his Texas League debut.
Coming off a Spring Training in which he yielded only three hits over 10 scoreless frames in the Cactus League, Povse carried significant momentum into the first outing in his new organization.
"Anytime you can have success on a mound, you just have to take it and run with it," he said. "Pitching has ups and downs, but you just ride the high as long as you can. You always want to get off to a good start."

Although the 2014 third-round pick threw 70 2/3 innings for Double-A Mississippi last season, the Texas League will provide a new challenge.
"It will be interesting," Povse said. "I'm looking forward to it. Just going to work to get ready for the next one."
Catcher Tyler Marlette, the Mariners' 27th-ranked prospect, went 3-for-3 with a triple, double and three RBIs. Jay Baum chipped in two singles, an RBI and a run scored.
Hooks starter Kent Emanuel (0-1) took the loss after giving up four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five over four innings.