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Wlodarczyk tosses no-hitter against Chiefs

August 18, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Southwest Michigan Devil Rays News Release


Just when you think the Devil Rays batters were going to steal the show, the pitchers overshadow them once again. On a rainy Friday night at C.O. Brown, starting pitcher Mike Wlodarczyk was unfazed and in a zone. Wlodarczyk tossed eight no-hit innings before being pulled because he was one pitch over his count. Celso Rondon entered in the ninth to see his first Midwest League action and struck out the side to give the Devil Rays the fourth no-hitter in franchise history.

The Rays jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Jackson Brennan scored from third base in the bottom of the first when Rhyne Hughes grounded into a fielder's choice.

The D-Rays kept it rolling in the second when they stretched their lead. Neil Walton hit a bomb to centerfield that was good for a double. Christian Lopez walked and Eric Durante was hit by a Fabian Jimenez pitch to load the bases. Jackson Brennan followed up with a double to score Walton and Durante. Matt Devins blasted a sacrifice fly to score Durante and the Rays led 4-0 after two innings.

The Rays lit up the scoreboard again in the bottom of the fifth by scoring six runs. By this time, the win was safely at hand and the whispers of a possible no-hitter started. Everybody in the press box was shushing each other to avoid jinxing the possible no-no. The crowd of 1424 at C.O. Brown was doing the same.

Inning after inning, Wlodarczyk looked more and more focused as the Peoria hitters kept coming up and sitting down. Amazingly, he stayed warm during the fifth inning when eleven Devil Rays batted and the Chiefs had two pitching changes. In the sixth inning, Wlodarczyk walked two batters but forced two fly outs and fanned a batter.

In the seventh, Wlodarczyk forced a pop out by Jesus Valdez. He followed that by striking out Ryan Norwood. He then sat down Ryne Malone when he struck out swinging.

The eighth inning came around and the tension at C.O. Brown was the highest it has been all year. Fingers were crossed and the fans that slipped and said the dreaded words of "no-hitter" scrambled around to find wood to knock on. Wlodarczyk didn't disappoint as he retired the side.

Much to the dismay of everybody in the stadium, the Rays brought in newcomer Celso Rondon in the ninth inning to finish off the game. Rondon knew what he had to do and with immense pressure, he struck out the side to give the Devil Rays the no-hitter.

Jackson Brennan had a great night at the plate as he went 2-3 with two walks, two doubles, three runs scored and three RBI. Cesar Suarez went 1-4 but had three RBI when he doubled to left field with the bases loaded in the fifth frame. Every batter in the lineup besides Suarez scored a run and all but two recorded a hit.

The Rays will try to match their performance on Saturday night as they face Peoria in the second game of the four game series. It's Public Service Appreciation night at C.O. Brown. The Devil Rays will honor all of the men and women that work to keep our community safe. Life Care Ambulance, Battle Creek Police Department, and Battle Creek Fire Department will all have vehicle displays and representatives at the game. The Battle Creek SWAT Team will do a repelling demonstration from the C.O. Brown roof and after the game the Fire Department will have a demonstration of extinguishing an enflamed vehicle! Public Service Appreciation Night is brought to you by WIN 98.5 and J-Ad Graphics. -KV



Midwest League Stories from August 18, 2006


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