Phils' Anderson goes six hitless frames

A relative unknown before Philadelphia nabbed him in the 21^st round of the 2012 Draft, Drew Anderson opened a few eyes with his performance Sunday.

The 19-year-old right-hander from Reno, Nev., tossed six brilliant innings as Williamsport fell one out short of a no-hitter in a 7-1 victory over visiting Batavia.

Anderson struck out five and walked two and was followed by 2013 16^th-round pick Lee Ridenhour, who logged two perfect frames. Rob Marcello recorded the first two outs in the ninth before Muckdogs second baseman Luis Ortiz homered.

Anderson (1-0) caught the eyes of Phillies scout Joey Davis last spring with a fastball ticking over 90 mph and a 6-foot-3 frame. He starred at Galena High School, with his body of work highlighted by shutouts of nationally recognized programs Amador Valley and Chaminade as a senior. Still, the right-hander wasn't highly sought after and even told the Reno Gazette-Journal he was "surprised" he was drafted at the time.

Anderson arrived in Florida and immediately went to work with Gulf Coast Phillies pitching coach Steve Schrenk.

"I got to Clearwater ... and Steve Schrenk, he helped me out a lot," Anderson said. "He's been a big mentor to me. Going through this whole year, I've been working on my mechanics and making as much improvement as I can throwing strikes."

Anderson logged 22 2/3 innings as a starter and reliever in the Rookie-level GCL, posting a 4.76 ERA with 16 strikeouts and 10 walks. He returned to Spring Training this year and went back to work with Schrenk, continuing to improve mechanically.

"I've been sitting back on my right foot a little more," he said. "I'm just keeping my body straight and towards the plate and getting a good follow-through."

The teenager kept it simple Sunday, relying primarily on his fastball. Anderson boasts a three-pitch mix, including a changeup and curveball, but rarely used either against the Marlins' short-season affiliate.

Anderson has a 1.74 ERA through two starts. In his first, he allowed three runs -- two earned -- on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings against State College.

The Crosscutters backed their starter with a six-run first, which Anderson said helped him settle into the game.

"That was just a comfort blanket," he said. "It gave me motivation to pitch and get more strikes."

He allowed just one baserunner after that -- a leadoff walk in the third -- before handing the ball to Ridenhour, who struck out two. Marcello, the Phillies' 17^th-round pick this month, struck out Austin Dean to end the game after Ortiz spoiled the no-hitter.

Phillies 2012 third-rounder Zach Green stayed hot in his seventh game of the season, driving in three runs. The third baseman is hitting .321 with three homers, a New York-Penn League-leading nine RBIs and a 1.209 OPS.