Minor-league team wins with no hits, walks

The minor-league Clearwater Threshers won their game Monday night despite not collecting a hit or a walk against the Tampa Tarpons.

The Philadelphia Phillies’ Class A affiliate’s 1-0 victory came thanks to the new extra innings rule being tried out in baseball’s minor leagues starting this season.

The rule places a runner at second base at the start of each extra inning in an attempt to shorten games.

Monday’s game in Tampa, Florida, which was scheduled to last seven innings as the second game of a doubleheader, was tied at the end of seventh inning, so Clearwater’s Luke Williams started the eighth inning on second base.

Williams quickly found his way to third on an error by Tampa shortstop Diego Castillo when pinch-hitter Kevin Markham reached on a fielder’s choice. Following a groundout, Daniel Brito hit a grounder to first for Clearwater and Tampa attempted to throw out Williams at home.

Williams beat the first baseman’s throw home to score the go-ahead run as Brito reached on a fielder’s choice. Clearwater’s next two batters finished off the inning with a groundout and a strikeout.

Tampa then went down in order in the bottom of the eighth to give Clearwater the win.

The ending ruined a no-hitter pitched by Yankees prospect Deivi Garcia, who delivered seven perfect innings and 12 strikeouts before giving way to Christian Morris in the eighth. Morris took the loss despite also pitching a perfect inning.

Tampa also lost the first game of the doubleheader, falling 4-3 to Clearwater.