Lakewood Trio Combines for No-hitter
In his fourth start of the season, Class A Lakewood right-hander Jeb Stefan tossed six innings to start off what would result in the BlueClaws’ fourth no-hitter in team history, in a 1-0 victory over the Rome Braves at home on Thursday. Along with Stefan, Dominican righty Ramon Oviedo tossed two perfect frames while right-hander Chris Burgess wrapped up the historic feat with a hitless ninth.
Stefan, 23, was the Phillies’ 22nd round draft choice last year out of Louisiana Tech University. In 26 games (four starts), the 6-foot-4 225 pounder has a 3-4 record along with 3.78 ERA and a .228 batting average against.
The 22-year-old Oviedo, who had a 1-7 record along with a 9.15 ERA in nine appearances for Lakewood last season, struck out four Braves in his 2013 BlueClaws debut.
Burgess was a 26th round draft selection this year our of Oklahoma Christian. The 22-year-old transferred from Oklahoma University last year and quickly became a standout performer on the OC pitching staff, going 7-0 with nine saves and a 1.54 ERA while giving up just one extra-base hit in 22 appearances for the Eagles.
Lakewood took a 1-0 lead in 4th inning when 17-year-old outfielder Carlos Tocci plated Jonathan Roof on a sacrifice fly. That score held till Burgess notched the final out. The win was Lakewood’s fifth straight.
Lakewood’s other no-no’s include Keith Bucktrot’s seven-inning effort on April 12, 2001, Gavin Floyd‘s 1-0 nine-inning loss on July 24, 2002, as well as another combined effort from Carlos Carrasco, who went seven innings, and Andrew Barb, who locked down the last two frames of a 2-1 win, on Aug. 13. 2006.
