»DRAGONS PROFILE: Brantley Bell, second baseman
It didn’t look like any historic performance would happen after the first few innings. Moss walked the game’s first batter, and Bowling Green’s Jesus Sanchez hit a grounder to second baseman Luiz Gonzalez, who threw to second base for an out on a fielder’s choice. Bowling Green’s Robbie Tenerowicz led off the second inning with a hard line drive that shortstop Hector Vargas was able to field and throw to first for the out.
But those were only two of a few times the Hot Rods came close to collecting a hit. A Bowling Green player hit a hard line drive to left fielder Taylor Trammell, and the rest of the batters either struck out or hit into routine outs.
Moss, a 6-foot-6 left-hander, was pulled from the game after the sixth inning due to organizational pitch count limits.
“I hadn’t been in the stands for (a no-hitter) or even seen one on TV,” Moss said. “That was my first experience being around with the whole thing about people not talking about it. … I’m normally the one who talks to people and want to see how I’m doing, and no one was talking to me. I was like, ‘What’s happening?’ That was kind of cool.”
One player who did talk to Moss after he pulled from the game was Hunter, who joked with him in the dugout.
“I made a little sarcastic comment to him about a no-hitter,” Hunter said. “I was thinking about that while warming up and was wondering if I just jinxed myself.”
Hunter closed the game in the ninth with a flyout, strikeout and groundout.
“Once I got the first out it was a little more relaxing,” Hunter said. “I locked into the game better.”
Nearly every pitcher that’s taken the mound has performed well. The Dragons have the fourth-best ERA (3.29) of all Midwest League teams and are second in strikeouts (399) and shutouts (7).
“At this point, we know we’re a great team and we know we’re doing well,” Hunter said. “It’s a matter of just being comfortable with what we’re doing and not trying to do anything extra.”
Machorro pitched the seventh and eighth innings and struck out three batters. He joined the Dragons last Monday from extended spring training in Arizona, and Saturday was his first appearance. It will also be his last appearance for a while — he was sent to Billings on Sunday to make room for Aaron Fossas, who rejoins the team after one game with Louisville.
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