By Josh Cook
Gwinnett Braves pitcher Todd Redmond threw the first no-hitter in 10-year Louisville Slugger Field history, blanking the Louisville Bats 4-0 Friday night.
The right-hander, who came into the game with a 3-5 record and a 5.70 earned-run average, walked just two and struck out three in front of 8,260 fans, most of whom were cheering him at the end after he struck out Chris Burke.
It was the first time Louisville had been no-hit since 2004.
“It’s cool, but it’s not cool when it happens to you,” Louisville manager Rick Sweet said. “I’m happy for him, he pitched a good ball game, but I’m never happy to lose.”
Bats starter Matt Maloney (4-2) only allowed on hit through the first six innings, but in the seventh Mitch Jones led off with a double. He later scored on a single by former Bat Luis Bolivar.
Redmond (4-5) helped himself in the eighth. He singled with one out, moved to second on a ground out, then scored on a double by Wes Timmons off Louisville reliever Jesus Delgado. The Braves (21-26) added two more runs in the inning.
Maloney gave up just four hits and two runs in 7 and 2/3 innings.
In the ninth Corky Miller led off with a come-backer that deflected off Redmond and to shortstop Brandon Hicks, who threw Miller out at first. Michael Griffin flew out, then Redmond struck out Burke - his teammate in Gwinnett last season - looking to end the game.
Burke and Miller, both of whom walked in the sixth innings, were the only baserunners Louisville (22-26) had all night.
The Bats were previously no-hit by Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Robert Ellis on June 6, 2004. A trio of Indianapolis pitchers - including Pedro Martinez - combined for a seven-inning no-no against Louisville on May 27, 1997 and Columbus’ Kevin Mmahat threw the only nine-inning no-hitter against Louisville July 5, 1991.
The same two teams meet at 6:05 p.m. Saturday night. It is $2 Anheuser Busch Craft Beer from 5-6:30 p.m. and there will be live music by Mickey Clark, as well as an appearance by the Bucket Boys (www.bucketboys.net) during the game.
