South Jersey Baseball:
Clippard Tosses 1st "No-Hitter" in Trenton Thunder History

Thursday, August 17, 2006

By Dan Loney
Trenton Thunder Director of Public Relations

(Harrisburg, PA)- Tyler Clippard became the first Trenton pitcher in the 13-year history of the franchise to toss a no-hitter as the Thunder beat Harrisburg, 9-0, on Thursday night. The Thunder finished their current road trip with four straight wins and a 5-1 mark.

Clippard, 21, retired the first five batters of the night before a walk to Senators 1B Josh Whitesell in the 2nd Inning. He then retired the next 12 batters before trouble in the 6th Inning. With two outs, Clippard walked the bases loaded, all on 3-2 pitches. But he got DH Prentice Redman to fly out to end the inning. He retired the side in order in the 7th and 8th Innings before a busy 9th Inning. LF Cory Casto flied out to CF Brett Gardner, who made a sliding catch, for the first out. 2B Jose Vidro then grounded out to 3B Eric Duncan for the second out. Pinch-hitter Rich Lane then was called out on strikes to end the game.

Clippard (10-10) walked four and struck out nine on the night. The closest prior bid for a no-hitter was May 11, 2001 when RHP Justin Duchscherer worked 8 2/3 "no-hit" innings before losing the bid. Both Steven White and Phil Hughes had carried no-hit bids into the 8th Inning earlier in the season before losing them.

Trenton (69-54) took a 1-0 lead in the 1st Inning with an RBI double by 1B Randy Ruiz. After two runs in the 3rd Inning, the Thunder put the game away with three runs in the 7th Inning, including a two-run triple by 3B Eric Duncan. C Jason Brown added a three-run double in the 9th Inning for a 9-0 lead. Senators starter Justin Echols (5-8) took the loss allowing three runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings.

The Thunder return home to start a three-game series with the Portland Sea Dogs on Friday. Matt DeSalvo (2-3, 7.28) starts for Trenton against Portland's Tommy Hottovy (0-3, 6.32).