Noesi tosses seven no-hit innings

Hector Noesi hadn't allowed a run in his first 20 1/3 innings this season. He was even better Wednesday night.

The 22-year-old right-hander struck out seven and walked one over seven hitless frames as the Charleston RiverDogs one-hit the Lexington Legends en route to a 3-1 victory at Applebee's Park.

Noesi (1-0), making his third straight start after beginning the season in the bullpen, was on fire from the opening frame. He retired the first 19 batters, registering at least one strikeout in each of the first six innings, before issuing a one-out walk to Andrew Simunic in the seventh.

Despite losing his bid for a perfect game, the 6-foot-2, 174-pound native of the Dominican Republic kept his poise, getting Federico Hernandez to pop out to shortstop and Kody Hinze on a fly ball to center field to cap the best performance of his five-year professional career.

"I'm pitching for a future in the big leagues and I'll do whatever I have to do," said Noesi, who has struck out 35, walked three and allowed only 11 hits over 27 1/3 innings this year.

"I came into this year to concentrate and to do what I didn't do in 2005, 2006 and 2007."

Signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on Dec. 3, 2004, Noesi spent his first two seasons in the Dominican Summer and Gulf Coast leagues before sitting out the first 50 games of 2007 for violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

A strained right elbow limited Noesi to five appearances with Charleston upon his return, but he did bounce back with a solid campaign in 2008, going 3-2 with a 3.33 ERA in 14 appearances (seven starts) between the GCL Yankees and short-season Staten Island.

"I knew him a couple of years ago when he was going through the suspension and had a little bit of arm trouble," RiverDogs pitching coach Jeff Ware said. "We didn't really know what to expect this year. He came into Spring Training in great shape with a Major League fastball. He's put himself right back on the map as far as the way he's been throwing."

Noesi has allowed four hits and three walks with 19 strikeouts over 15 1/3 innings as a starter. He came out after 64 pitches Wednesday as Charleston continues to build up his innings.

"I would have loved to keep him out there," Ware said. "But we have to take care of these guys. The intent is to win, but the most important thing is to keep these guys healthy and get them developed."

Ware also has been impressed by Noesi's approach.

"He's a good guy and a lot of fun to be around," the former Major Leaguer said. "He's a little bit on the quiet side, but he's a very coachable guy and we love to have him on the team. He's handling it really well. He was disappointed when he came out of the game."

Casey Erickson replaced Noesi and worked a 1-2-3 eighth, but Pat Venditte was unable to complete the RiverDogs' first no-hitter since Jason Standridge fired a seven-inning gem against Columbia on June 28, 1999.

After Ebert Rosario grounded out to begin the ninth, Ronald Ramirez connected for a solo homer off the ambidexterous closer. Jay Austin walked before Venditte settled down and caught Simunic and Hernandez on called third strikes to finish off the combined one-hitter.