Back-to-Back No-hitters!!

Back-to-back no hitters!  This is simply unheard of, but our High-A Carolina League Lynchburg Hillcats have done the impossible.  On consecutive nights, they have held the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Kansas City Royals affiliate) without a hit.  In fact, their last hit came in the seventh inning of Wednesday’s contest – also won by Lynchburg as part of a three-game sweep.

Jeff talked about the first gem

, thrown by top prospect

(along with friends), but adding a SECOND no-no is crazy.  Even radio announcer Erik Wilson got caught up in the moment (and why wouldn’t he?) as you can hear from this final pitch call.

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Friday’s game came from

, making just his third start for Lynchburg.  He’s now 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA in 19 innings (15K, 5BB, just 12 hits).  Cody is a 6’3″/250 RHP from Rockford, Illinois.  He’s a bit old (almost 26) to be considered a prospect in High-A baseball, but he’s starting

very

well for the Braves after bouncing around the minors over the past few years.  He was drafted in the 11th round in 2007 by Milwaukee, and was in their organization until this season.  The Braves signed him from the Independent league Lancaster Barnstormers (atlantic League), and honestly, he hadn’t been throwing very well in recent years – peaking at AA Huntsville in 2009 and 2011.  But for this night and so far, he’s had a magical touch for the Hillcats.

Benino Pruneda cleaned up in the 8th and 9th innings Friday night, as Lynchburg manager Luis Salazar stayed consistent and pulled his starter after the seventh inning.  Pruneda himself has been fairly reliable as a reliever (3.52 ERA in 23 innings), but with 24 hits allowed this season, maintaining this second no-hitter wasn’t a sure thing!  So congratulations to both players on making this happen.

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That Balls Outta Here

According to those who keep track of this stuff

, the Blue Rocks have never been no-hit twice in the same season, much less in consecutive

games

.  Also, they’re not exactly pushovers:  37-40 on the season after being swept, while Lynchburg is now 40-38.

This is definitely a noteworthy accomplishment for the entire Lynchburg team.

Here’s the relevant part of the box scores from each contest:

Oh, and while Wilmington is glad to see the Hillcats leave town, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans have to wide-eyed as they arrive in Lynchburg today to begin a 3-game set.  Good luck!