Parra, GCL Cardinals combine on no-hitter

Frederis Parra and three relievers combined on a no-hitter Wednesday in the Gulf Coast League Cardinals' 6-1 win over the GCL Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium.

Starter Parra, a 19-year-old from the Dominican Republic, allowed a run on three walks, but held the Nats hitless for 2 2/3 innings. Silas Bohannan (1-0) picked up the win after hitting a batter and striking out two in 2 1/3 innings before Andrew Reidt and Kevin Alexander each struck out two over two innings apiece to seal the no-hitter.

The no-no came just four days after the Cardinals were no-hit by the GCL Marlins in the first game of a doubleheader on Aug. 2.

The Cardinals scored runs in the first two innings before Parra surrendered the Nationals' lone run in the third. Tom Alvarez worked a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a balk and third on a wild pitch. He scored on Edwin Lora's groundout to first. Bohannan came on to record the final out of the inning. He lowered his ERA to 5.40.

Center fielder Magneuris Sierra went 4-for-5 with a double and three RBIs while catcher Frankie Rodriguez finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Sierra had been honored as the Cardinals' Minor League Player of the Month after hitting .439 with nine steals in July.

Parra signed with the Cardinals as an international free agent from Sabana De La Mar, Dominican Republic in 2012 and is 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA in eight games this season, his first above the Dominican Summer League. He ranks fifth in the league in ERA.

Bohannan was signed by the Cardinals last month as an undrafted free agent out of North Central Missouri College while working as a Little League umpire in Joplin, Missouri. He reported to the Cardinals' Spring Training complex in Jupiter, Florida and made his Minor League debut on July 19 with the GCL Cards. Wednesday marked the right-hander's fifth career outing -- in 8 1/3 innings, the Neosho, Missouri native is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA and seven strikeouts. 

Reidt, also an umpire from Missouri, signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on June 18 after finishing up his season with Cameron University in Oklahoma. He auditioned for a Cardinals scout June 17 and signed the next day, eventually making his Minor League debut June 27. He's 2-0 with a 3.57 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings over 11 games.

Was a part of a staff no hitter today! #CardinalNation

- Andrew Reidt (@AREIDT_74) August 6, 2014

Alexander spent five seasons pitching for Florida Atlantic University and served as the team's captain this past season before signing with the Cardinals on June 19. The Coral Springs, Florida native is 1-2 with a 2.70 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings over 13 relief outings this year since debuting on June 28.