Thursday, June 16, 2011

Moore throws first no-hitter in Biscuits history

Matt Moore threw the first no-hitter in Biscuits history Thursday in a 8-0 win over the Mobile BayBears.

Moore (4-3) issued two walks and tied a season high with 11 strikeouts.

Two plays threatened Moore's bid. Shortstop Tim Beckham made a play deep in the hole and threw to first to end the sixth. Second baseman Shawn O'Malley made a barehanded play on a chopper and threw to first to end the eighth.

It's the first professional no-hitter for Montgomery since June 24, 1976, when Sheldon Burnside threw a seven-inning gem in an 8-0 win over Charlotte. The previous nine-inning no-hitter was by Dave Lemanczyk, who needed just 86 pitches for a 3-0 win over Asheville on Aug. 8, 1973. The last no-hitter involving Montgomery was Aug. 20, 1978, when Memphis' Mike Finlayson also had a seven-inning feat.

The Biscuits' biggest flirtation with a no-hitter was June 24, 2005. Jason Cromer retired the first 19 Tennessee hitters before issuing a walk. The Smokies picked up a hit later in the seventh, spoiled the shutout with a home run in the ninth and lost 2-1 in 10 innings.

It's the eight no-hitter in Tampa Bay's organizational history. The last was last year by major leaguer Matt Garza. The last Southern League no-hitter was by Jacksonville's Elih Villanueva against Carolina last year in a five-inning game.

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