Nieve dominates in second complete game shutout
August 7, 2005 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
23 year old righty Fernando Nieve found himself trying to right the ship in enemy territory after three, less than solid starts. But right it he did, as Nieve showed on Saturday night in central California why he is considered one of the top pitching prospects in all baseball.
Using a 94-95 mile an hour fastball, and a nasty slider, Nieve pitched his second complete game shutout, thoroughly dominating the PCL's home run leading Fresno Grizzlies, in a 4-0 win at Grizzlies Stadium.
The youngster was so dominating at the start, he took a no-hitter into the top of the fifth before surrendering back to back singles. Then Nieve promptly struck out the side to get out of the jam.
Round Rock took the lead in the third on a Barry Wesson RBI double that scored C Raul Chavez, giving the E-Train a 1-0 lead.
Meanwhile, Nieve thoroughly controlled the Fresno offense. Besides striking out the side in the fifth, Nieve struck out the first two he faced in the seventh, before surrendering back to back singles. The Grizzlies werent able to take advantage, however, and they couldnt convert on a solo single in the eighth and a two out walk in the ninth, as Nieve repeatedly shut the door.
For the night, Nieve allowed only six baserunners, giving up five hits and walking only one while striking out eight, and notching his second, all the way, shut out win.
The Express got an insurance run in the eighth inning on a towering blast to right from 2B Brooks Conrad to stretch the lead to 2-0. RF Todd Self ripped a two run homer off reliever and Texas native Jeremy Fikac in the top of the ninth to make it a final, 4-0.
The series concludes on Sunday with an 8:05 central time start. Righty Brian Tollberg goes for the Express in the series finale.
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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 7, 2005
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- Nieve dominates in second complete game shutout - Round Rock Express
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