Ott spells relief in Renegades' one-hitter

It's not every pitcher who makes his first professional relief appearance in the middle of a no-hit bid, but Travis Ott did so Monday.

"I was obviously nervous, not knowing how it was going to go, especially since it was my first time out of the bullpen since I first was signed," the Rays left-handed prospect said with a laugh. "I just had to focus on hitting my spots and not trying to do too much."

Ott ended up allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one in five innings of relief en route to Class A Short Season Hudson Valley's 5-0 victory over host State College.

"When I was warming up, I was pretty nervous," the 2013 25th-round Nationals pick said. "The fastball felt like it didn't have any life behind it. I struggled with my changeup. The only thing that was working in the 'pen was the curveball. The fastball came around at the end. I knew that going into the game, I had to work with the fastball, but I didn't quite have the velocity I think I should have."

Hudson Valley starter Jose Alonzo dominated in his season debut, giving up a lone walk through four frames before turning the ball over to Ott (1-0). The Shippensburg, Pennsylvania native carried the no-hitter into the seventh before surrendering a leadoff single to Vincent Jackson.

Ott breezed through the fifth and sixth, giving up just a walk to Mick Fennell in the latter. After Jackson's hit to center in the seventh, he retired the next eight in a row before a fielding error by shortstop Joseph Astacio allowed Jackson to reach with two outs in the ninth. Ott got Danny Hudzina to fly out to right field to end the game.

Ott was traded to Tampa Bay in December 2014 along with outfielder Steven Souza Jr. in a three-team deal that included Washington's No. 2 prospect Trea Turner and San Diego slugger Wil Myers.  

The 20-year-old has had recurring shoulder issues, and Rays pitching coordinators transitioned him to a sidearm delivery to take strain off his arm.

He spent most of 2014 with Washington's short-season affiliate Auburn in the New York-Penn League. He went 0-2 with a 7.59 ERA over three starts after a late promotion to Class A Hagerstown. He made 13 starts for Hudson Valley last year, going 6-3 with a 3.90 ERA in 60 innings. But he'd enter Spring Training this year with a new role.

"The beginning of Spring Training this year, the plan was for me to be a reliever," Ott said. "I was still a sidearm pitcher at the time. We made another change back to an over-the-top delivery.

"At first I wasn't sure how I was going to do. I've been the kind of guy that needs a healthy amount of pitches prior to a game to get loose. So far, I'm enjoying it. You're more into the game as a reliever and you're on the edge of your seat, not knowing when you're name is going to be called."

Monday's result has Ott excited about what the future has in store.

"It's definitely a sign of hope," he said. "If I can do that on a day when I didn't have my best stuff, I can't wait to see what I can do when I have everything and I'm at 100 percent.

"I've worked every day to master the mechanics of [the over-the-top delivery] again. It's really paying off I think. My command is better. My breaking ball is sharper than it was. It feels great and it's all starting to fall into place. I'm starting to feel more confident than I ever have been."

Astacio, who went 3-for-5 with two RBIs, is 7-for-13 (.538) in his first three games of the season. Jim Haley added a double and two singles for Hudson Valley.

State College's Ronnie Williams (0-1) gave up five earned runs on eight hits while striking out four in five innings.