The year of the no-hitter
There were 20 no-hitters this past season involving 38 different pitchers in 11 leagues. This cornucopia of hit deprivation afforded fans across the country the opportunity to witness the thrill of a "no-no."
There is a full review of all the 2006 no-nos at the story. Including that rain-shortened one against the Rattlers on May 13.
Wisconsin scored nine runs in the first game of its doubleheader and defeated Dayton, 9-6. Dominican right-hander Johnny Cueto made sure the nightcap had a radically different outcome. The 20-year-old struck out eight and walked two in the Dragons' 6-0 victory, which was halted after five innings due to rain. "I was upset that it was pouring at the bottom of the fifth," Cueto said. "I was cold, but I was determined not to lose the game."
The other Midwest League no-hitters were:
May 14
When it rains, it pours. That cliche could be taken figuratively and literally on May 14, as Jared Lansford followed up Cueto's rain-soaked, five-inning gem with a seven-inning masterpiece. The 19-year-old overcame control problems -- he walked five batters -- in leading Kane County to a 4-0 win over Beloit in the first game of a doubleheader. The son of former American League batting champion Carney Lansford had spent the first month of the season at extended Spring Training while recovering from inflammation in his right rotator cuff.
August 18
"We're here to develop first. We don't want to risk anyone throwing more pitches than they should." Those were the words of Southwest Michigan manager Skeeter Barnes, who removed Mike Wlodarczyk after the southpaw threw eight no-hit innings. The 23-year-old picked up his eighth win of the season as the Devil Rays coasted to a 12-0 win over Peoria. Celso Rondon made his Midwest League debut in the ninth inning and struck out the side as Southwest Michigan recorded the fourth no-hitter in team history.
On August 31, the last MWL no-hitter was something even more rare, a loss for the pitcher who threw it.
Wade Davis couldn't catch a break all season. The 20-year-old Floridian compiled a stellar 3.02 ERA and struck out 165 batters over 146 innings while holding opponents to a .234 average. Yet he ended the season with a 7-12 record. Davis' final loss was his most painful as he hurled seven hitless innings against Beloit in the first game of a doubleheader. It was all for naught, however. In the fourth, Davis' error allowed Yancarlos Ortiz to reach first base. Ortiz stole second, took third on a throwing error by catcher Christian Lopez and scored on Dwayne White's sacrifice fly. That was all she wrote as Beloit held on for a 1-0 win.
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