We've got a no-no

Congratulations to the Motorboaters and Lon Costello for the first no-hitter of the Wailing Onion world. It marks the first no-hitter for a Cincinnati franchise since Tom Browning in 1988.

Costello struck out five and walked four during the complete game 7-0 win at Cleveland. He threw 111 pitches in the win facing 32 batters.

The lefthanded Costello moves to 9-1 on the season.

Memphis' AAA squad posts 31 runs in win

I did a double take when I read it too. My boys had 33 hits with 13 home runs...four of them from leftfielder Jackson Peterson. Hideo Xaio hit for the cycle. In total, three players had multi-HR games. Everyone (bench included) reached base at least once.

Worse than that, my mopup reliever came in and picked up a four-inning save. Whah?

I almost feel like apologizing to dflinn. Almost.

No-No Broken Up in 9th

Monterrey's Vicente Nieves nearly locked up the season's first no-hitter. With one out in the ninth, Las Vegas' defensive substitute Lenny Kirshner whacked a single to break it up. Nieves retired the side to give him a one-hit shutout, leading Monterrey to a 5-0 win.

I hate to do this...

I don't like pointing out Pittsburgh's problems. But, the 2/9 AM cycle's game is worth mentioning.

If you haven't looked, Kansas City put 35 up on the board. It's quite a box score. Again, not surprising, as all of Pittsburgh arms were 0 percent. Let's stay on the topic of pitching. Starter Kevin McEwing went out in the first inning with a shoulder injury. This meant that rubber armed Brian McCormick came in for four innings of excitement. 126 pitches, 12 runs, all earned and seven walks. He finally gave way to Cleatus Collins, who in 1.2 innings threw 94 pitches and gave up 12 runs.

KC's offensive highlights:

• Everyone on KC scored at least one run.
• Patrick Poole, the starting catcher, was the only starter to not collect a hit. But, he walked four times.
• In eight PAs, Philip Jacobs reached seven times.
  
• Three players drove in five runs each.
  
• Five players accounted for the team's six taters.
  

Cleveland Layeth the Smack (with some Nerio)

While you hate to pile on ewad and this year's Pittsburgh franchise, Cleveland's offensive outburst against the Diamond Kings was sick. With wins of 11-3, 29-2, 21-9 and 27-9, the Wahoos posted 88 runs and only surrendered 23.

Javy Moya had a monstrous game during the 2/6 AM 27-9 win. The centerfielder, who bats ninth, was 6-6 with five runs scored, three dingers and 12 RBI.

Speaking of 2/6 AM cycle, one has to feel bad as Luis Vega (125 pitches) and Brian McCormick (126) surrendered all 27 runs (only 25 were earned) in 6.2 innings. Two cycles prior (the 29-2 game) McCormick threw 126 pitches, walking 10, in 3.1 innings. Not bad for an 86 stamina starter. I almost want to misappropriate some money, help ewad sign a new staff and show him how to set rest settings.

In the meantime, Pittsburgh has lost six straight, including the PM cycle's 14-12 matchup against Milwaukee. Incidentally, McCormick threw 92 pitches in four innings of relief.

Anyhow, I promised a Nerio Watch. Nerio hit home runs in each game of the series, giving him 22 on the season. Nerio has 127 at-bats, meaning he'll jack a pitch once every 5.77 at bats.

The Longest Day

Anytime you can work John Wayne into a post, I say go for it.

Atlanta and Burlington went 17 innings in the PM cycle to give the Wailing Onion its longest game of the season. Atlanta won the game on a pair of singles in the 17th. Eduardo Sierra's two-run single to left was followed by a Oswaldo Furcal blooper to right. Burlington managed one baserunner in the bottom half of the inning -- a hit batsman.

20 pitchers took the hill, 11 of them from the winning Mad Dogs. None of Atlanta's pitchers through more than three innings. Starter Doug Linton clocked 38 pitches in 2 1/3 frame, giving up three runs.

Roscoe Street wins the "Right Place at the Right Time" award, earning the win. Street threw four pitches 1/3 of an inning to collect his third victory.

Burlington's bullpen failed it. Al McNamara tossed five-hit ball over seven innings, notching seven strikeouts while only allowing three runs. Luke Sanford blew the save in the eighth by allowing the tying run. Dale Mullin took the loss.

And now, I need to go take my Nexium. Apparently the chili I made today will not be balanced by last night's purple pill.