Baysox starting knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa threw the ninth no-hitter in team history in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Harrisburg Senators Sunday afternoon. Game 2 of the doubleheader was postponed due to rain and no make-up date has yet been announced.
“It’s good for the team,” Gamboa said. “We needed something like that to get us going. It was a seven inning game so it’s not an official, legit [no-hitter] but we will take it. It’s fun to be a part of.”
The last Baysox player to throw a no-hitter was Radhames Liz in 2007 also against the Senators. In his last two starts, Gamboa has pitched 14.1 innings and allowed just one hit while walking six batters and striking out 12.
Gamboa retired the first 13 batters he faced in order before issuing a walk and allowing his first base runner of the game. He pitched seven shutout innings and walked three batters while striking out five. He threw 103 pitches, 58 for strikes. He was forced to complete his no-hitter by pitching in some heavy rain during the final inning of the game.
“I just thought ‘why not?” Gamboa said. “It’s hard enough getting a no-hitter as it is, so for it to pour and not have a grip, it really couldn’t have been tougher. The crazy thing about the last inning is it’s the only inning I’ve gone where I only threw knuckles. If I was gonna give it up, it was going to be sticking with the knuckleball.”
The Baysox offense came out firing in the bottom of the first inning against Harrisburg starter Paul Demny. Three of the first four batters of the game reached on walks to load the bases and first baseman Seth Loman plated two with a double to right field. Demny then walked a fourth batter of the inning to load the bases again and third baseman Garabez Rosa followed with a grand slam to left field to put the Baysox up 6-0. Demny was replaced on the mound by Tyler Herron who finished the inning.
Left fielder Nolan Reimold added to the Baysox lead with a solo home run to lead off the fifth inning that made the score 7-0.
Demny took the loss for Harrisburg, pitching two-thirds of an inning and allowing six runs on three hits while walking four.
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez takes the mound for the Baysox tomorrow as the team begins a three game home series with the Akron Aeros. He will be opposed by RHP Will Roberts (5-5, 4.94)
The Baysox are home through Wednesday, July 3 for a seven game homestand against the Harrisburg Senators and Akron Aeros. Highlights include Mutt Monday at 7:05 July 1 and a baby shower for North West, daughter of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian Tuesday, July 2 at 7:05 p.m.
Baysox Baseball – We’ll Knock Your ‘Sox Off. The Baysox 2013 season and 20th season of baseball at Prince George’s Stadium is underway. Parking is free at every Baysox home game and tickets are available at www.baysox.com, or by calling the Baysox box office at (301) 464-4865.
