Bullock & Luna Combine for Timber Rattlers Second No-Hitter of 2021

SOUTH BEND, IN – Justin Bullock’s return to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers was a memorable one. The right-hander, who was a Timber Rattler in 2019, made his High-A Central League debut on Thursday night against the South Bend Cubs and he tossed the first five innings of a combined no-hitter in Wisconsin’s 6-1 win at Four Winds Field. Carlos Luna pitched the final four innings to close out Wisconsin’s second no-hitter of the 2021 season.

The Timber Rattlers (16-17) took the lead on a two-run single by Jesús Lujano in the top of the first inning. Hayden Cantrelle was at third and Garrett Mitchell was at first with two outs. Mitchell was running on the pitch and Lujano sent a line drive that just missed Mitchell. Second baseman Josue Huma made a diving attempt to stop the wicked one-hopper, but the ball deflected off Huma’s glove into center. Cantrelle scored easily on the play and Mitchell raced all the way around to score for the 2-0 lead.

Wisconsin added to their lead in the second inning as they took advantage of the wildness of South Bend starter Bradford Deppermann. A hit batsman and two walks loaded the bases with one out. Cantrelle drew another walk to force in the first run of the inning. Mitchell followed with a hard grounder right at Huma that the second baseman missed for an error and two runs scored for a 5-0 lead.

Bullock was making his first start for the Timber Rattlers since May 3, 2019 and his first appearance with the Rattlers since a relief outing on May 9, 2019. He started the 2021 season with the Carolina Mudcats in the Low-A East and he had a 1-1 record, a 1.42 ERA, and a 15-2/3 inning scoreless streak when he was called up to Wisconsin.

Bullock didn’t miss a beat as he tossed five no-hit innings with no walks and ten strikeouts. The only batters to reach against him were Delvin Zinn on an error in the first inning and Jake Slaughter on a hit batsman with one out in the second. Bullock retired the next eleven batters he faced to run his personal scoreless streak to 20-2/3 innings.

Carlos Luna relieved Bullock to start the bottom of the sixth inning. Edmond Americaan reached on an error with one out. Then, he stole second, stole third, and scored on a wild pitch with Zinn at the plate. Luna retired the next two batters and tossed a 1-2-3 seventh to maintain the lead and the no-hit bid. The Cubs (16-16) wouldn’t threaten to score again.

In the bottom of the eighth, Luna struck out the first two batters he faced and got Raymond Pena, the Cubs number nine hitter, to hit a grounder to short. However, the grounder was missed by Hamilton for Wisconsin’s third error of the night and the inning continued to Americaan. Luna and Americaan battled through a nine-pitch at bat before Americaan sent a slow roller to short that Hamilton made a nice play on to get the final out of the inning at first base.

Wisconsin added a run in the top of the ninth. Cantrelle doubled and took third on a wild pitch. Mitchell drew a walk. Thomas Dillard grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to score Cantrelle from third for a 6-1 lead.

That just left Luna to head back out for the bottom of the ninth and there was no drama to the inning. He retired Matt Burch on the first pitch he threw with a flyout to center. Tyler Durna was next and he sent a routine grounder to second that was handled for the second out. That just left Nelson Velazquez.

The Cubs leader in homers and RBI checked his swing on the first pitch from Luna and sent a slow roller up the first base line. Luna sprinted off the mound, picked up the ball before it had a chance to go foul, and tagged out Velazquez for the final out of the game and the Rattlers celebrated their second no-hitter of the season.

Wisconsin’s previous no-hitter this season was a seven-inning affair at Cedar Rapids in game one of a doubleheader on Saturday, May 29. Freisis Adames worked the first five innings of that game with Taylor Floyd working the final two innings of Wisconsin’s 8-1 win.

The last nine-inning no-hitter by the Rattlers was on May 4, 2012 when Chad Thompson (5IP) and Mark Williams (4IP) combined for a no-no in a 5-0 win over the Clinton LumberKings.

This was the sixth no-hitter in Timber Rattlers history.

Luna has not allowed a hit and has struck out eleven in seven innings over two relief appearances since joining the Timber Rattlers on June 5.

Game four of the series is scheduled for Friday night. Justin Jarvis (0-4, 5.74) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. The Cubs will counter with Max Bain (2-2, 6.85). Game time is 6:05pm CDT. Catch all of the action on AM 1280 WNAM starting with the pregame show at 5:45pm. The game will be available on internet audio and through MiLB.tv, too.