Stine Just Misses No-Hitter in 2-1 win
Published on June 19, 2002 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Elmira Pioneers News Release
Justin Stine just missed throwing the 3rd no-hitter in the history of the Northern League East / Northeast League in a 2-1 triumph over the Allentown Ambassadors Wednesday night at Dunn Field in front of 968 fans. A contraversial scoring decision kept Stine's name out of the record books.
In the top of the 7th inning, Jorge Diaz became the first Allentown batter to reach base as his spinning grounder got through 3B Osmani Garcia and glanced into LF. Initially, the play was scored an error and the no-hit bid continued. Garcia took a half-step to his right towards the line but did a glove on the ball before it bounced away.In the middle of the 8th inning, parties on the field alerted the official scorer that the play should be ruled a base-hit. Diaz was the only base-runner to reach on the night for Allentown and Stine wound up with a strange 1-hitter.
Stine was 9-2 and was an NLE all-star in 2001 but was struggling in 2002 at 0-3, 9.35. After a 10-day lay-off between starts the Pottersville, MO native seemed re-energized as he retired the first 18 batters straight over the first 6 innings before Diaz would reach on the contraversial play.
Stine walked none and struck out 5 in the magnificent performance.
Diaz later scored on consecutive ground-outs for the team's lone run.
Pedro Quero homered in the 2nd inning off spot starter John Lunney (0-1) to get the Pioneers on the board. It was Quero's team leading 5th long-ball of the year and his first since June 5th.
Rafael Alvarez blasted a triple in the 6th inning off the wall in right-center to bring in Rod Smith who had just walked.
LH Jeff Andra (3-2, 1.33) goes up against RH Caleb Balbuena (1-0, 3.00) in the series finale Thursday night at 7:05. The Pioneers host North Division leading Quebec in a 3-game series Friday through Sunday.
Canadian American League Stories from June 19, 2002
- Black Bears Drop Second in a Row - Berkshire Black Bears
- Stine Just Misses No-Hitter in 2-1 win - Elmira Pioneers
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