Osterbrock no-hits Wisconsin in game two

BELOIT, WI - No-hitters have become common in the Midwest League.  On Friday night, the Peoria Chiefs and the Cedar Rapids Kernels each threw no-hitters.  On Saturday night, Daniel Osterbrock tossed a seven-inning no-hitter against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in game two of a doubleheader at Pohlman Field.  The lefty out of the University of Cincinnati retired the first 18 batters he faced and flirted with a perfect game in Beloit's 4-0 win.  The victory gave Beloit a sweep in the doubleheader between the in-state rivals.

Beloit (14-8) strung together a rally in the bottom of the second inning with a lot of help from Wisconsin.  Rattlers starter Nick Bucci walked Tobias Streich with two outs and none on base.  Wang Wei Lin reached on an error on a grounder to first.  Bucci walked Reggie Williams to load the bases.  James Beresford, the #9 hitter in the order, singled to right to send Streich home.  A strike from right fielder Francisco Romero, Jr. to cut down Lin at the plate on the play for the final out of the inning.

Beloit gave Osterbrock a plenty of insurance in the fifth inning.  Aaron Hicks doubled and Brian Dozier walked with one out to chase Rattlers starting pitcher Nick Bucci.

Steve Liddel greeted Rattlers reliever Caleb Thielbar with a sharp single to right.  Hicks scored as Romero's throw was up the first baseline.  Rattlers catcher Austin Stockfisch tried to get Liddle at second base.  But, the throw bounced off Liddle and into short left field.  That error allowed Dozier to score.  One out later, Michael Gonzalez doubled to right and Liddle scored for a 4-0 Beloit lead.

That was more than enough for Osterbrock.  He set down the side in order over the first six innings and did not have a count go to three balls against a single batter.  Until the seventh inning.

Wisconsin (7-15) got their first base runner of the game when D'Vontrey Richardson walked on a 3-2 pitch from Osterbrock in the top of the seventh.  But, he was erased immediately when Scooter Gennett grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.  Osterbrock got Khris Davis to pop out to short to end the game.

This was the first no-hitter by a Beloit pitcher since Jason Dawsey tossed one against Burlington on July 26, 1996.  Osterbrock struck out seven and walked one in the game.  In his Beloit career, he is 4-0 in five starts against Wisconsin.

The loss was the seventh straight for the Rattlers.

The series at Pohlman Field continues on Sunday afternoon.  Damon Krestalude (1-0, 3.79) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers.  Miguel Munoz (0-0, 2.75) is set to start for the Snappers.  Game time is 2:00pm.  Tune in for the Miller Lite Pregame Show on AM1280, WNAN at 1:40pm.

WP: Daniel Osterbrock (2-1)
LP: Nick Bucci (0-1)

TIME: 1:33
ATTN: 1,072

Click here for a complete boxscore of game two for Saturday's doubleheader