San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum etched his name into the record books earlier this week when he threw his second career no-hitter. One minor league team, though, might have topped his accomplishment.
The Lynchburg Hillcats, the High-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, pulled off something for the ages this week by throwing back-to-back no-nos. Lynchburg blanked the Wilmington Blue Rocks twice in a 24-hour span, thanks to great starting pitching and a lights-out bullpen.
In the the first contest Thursday night, right-handed pitcher Lucas Sims went seven innings, striking out six but walking four. Alex Wilson relieved Sims for the final two innings and shut the door to earn the tean’s first no-hitter.
The next night, 26-year-old Cody Scarpetta got the start, and the combination of Scarpetta and reliever Benino Pruneda proved too much for Wilmington. Even with the new pitchers on the hill, the Blue Rocks still could not muster a single hit.
It was the first time the feat occurred in the Carolina League since 1956, when it was done in both ends of a doubleheader. Both of those games went only seven innings, however.
Scarpetta was in disbelief after his team’s historical performance.
“I’ve never seen or heard of it, two straight no-hitters,” Scarpetta said, via MiLB.com. “It’s pretty crazy.”
Photo via Twitter/@daltonjkeene
