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03-28-2003, 08:03 AM
AP Story @ ESPN (http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2003/0327/1530538.html)
Zambrano, Backe and Sosa combine to no-hit Phillies
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Victor Zambrano, Brandon Backe and Jorge Sosa combined on a no-hitter, leading the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to an 8-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night.
Zambrano pitched five innings, Backe went two and Sosa got the final six outs.
Pinch-hitter Jesse Levis nearly broke up the no-hit bid with two outs in the eighth, but left fielder Jonny Gomes made a diving catch on his sinking liner.
Sosa retired the Phillies in order in the ninth, striking out McKay Christensen to end the game. Catcher Javier Valentin pumped his fist after the final out, and handed the ball to Sosa in a low-key celebration.
It was the first time the Phillies were no-hit at Jack Russell Stadium since April 2, 1993, against the Boston Red Sox.
Gomes, one of Tampa Bay's top minor league prospects, had a pinch-hit three-run homer and former Phillies first baseman Travis Lee added a two-run double.
"I felt pretty good. I threw a lot of strikes," Zambrano said. "I made them put the ball in play and we had good defense."
Zambrano, Tampa's No. 2 starter, was perfect through four innings. He hit Pat Burrell and David Bell back-to-back to start the fifth. Burrell left the game after getting hit in the helmet, but the injury didn't appear serious.
It was the second straight game in which a Phillies slugger left the game after getting hit. Jim Thome didn't play against the Devil Rays after getting hit above the right elbow on Wednesday, but he could return Friday.
Phillies starter Brett Myers allowed seven runs and 10 hits in 5 2-3 innings. Myers, scheduled to start Philadelphia's sixth game, has had a poor spring. He's given up 14 runs in his last three starts, spanning 14 innings.
"I'd like to end the spring on an up note," said Myers, who will stay back to pitch in a minor-league game next week. "I'd like to get things worked out in the next 10 days. There's a different switch that goes on when you pitch in front of 30,000 fans instead of 1,000."
Lee gave Tampa a 2-0 lead on a two-run double in the first. Gomes' three-run homer made it 7-0 in the sixth.
Zambrano struck out five and had no walks. He's had an excellent spring, allowing just five runs and 11 hits in 22 innings.
"I'm very excited to get an opportunity to be the No. 2 starter," Zambrano said. "I've been working hard to get ready in spring training. I've been getting better."
Game notes
After 49 seasons, the Phillies will play their final game at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium on Friday against the New York Yankees. The Phillies will move into a new stadium next spring. Hall of Famer Robin Roberts, who pitched in the first game at Jack Russell in 1955, will throw out the first pitch on Friday. ... Zambrano is scheduled to face Boston's Tim Wakefield in Tampa Bay's second game on Tuesday. Joe Kennedy, who has struggled in the spring, will start the Devil Rays' season opener. ... The Phillies traded minor league catcher Marcus Jensen to the Yankees for a player to be named. They also sent left-hander Bud Smith and catcher Jeremy Salazar to their minor league complex, reducing their roster to 35.
Zambrano, Backe and Sosa combine to no-hit Phillies
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Victor Zambrano, Brandon Backe and Jorge Sosa combined on a no-hitter, leading the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to an 8-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night.
Zambrano pitched five innings, Backe went two and Sosa got the final six outs.
Pinch-hitter Jesse Levis nearly broke up the no-hit bid with two outs in the eighth, but left fielder Jonny Gomes made a diving catch on his sinking liner.
Sosa retired the Phillies in order in the ninth, striking out McKay Christensen to end the game. Catcher Javier Valentin pumped his fist after the final out, and handed the ball to Sosa in a low-key celebration.
It was the first time the Phillies were no-hit at Jack Russell Stadium since April 2, 1993, against the Boston Red Sox.
Gomes, one of Tampa Bay's top minor league prospects, had a pinch-hit three-run homer and former Phillies first baseman Travis Lee added a two-run double.
"I felt pretty good. I threw a lot of strikes," Zambrano said. "I made them put the ball in play and we had good defense."
Zambrano, Tampa's No. 2 starter, was perfect through four innings. He hit Pat Burrell and David Bell back-to-back to start the fifth. Burrell left the game after getting hit in the helmet, but the injury didn't appear serious.
It was the second straight game in which a Phillies slugger left the game after getting hit. Jim Thome didn't play against the Devil Rays after getting hit above the right elbow on Wednesday, but he could return Friday.
Phillies starter Brett Myers allowed seven runs and 10 hits in 5 2-3 innings. Myers, scheduled to start Philadelphia's sixth game, has had a poor spring. He's given up 14 runs in his last three starts, spanning 14 innings.
"I'd like to end the spring on an up note," said Myers, who will stay back to pitch in a minor-league game next week. "I'd like to get things worked out in the next 10 days. There's a different switch that goes on when you pitch in front of 30,000 fans instead of 1,000."
Lee gave Tampa a 2-0 lead on a two-run double in the first. Gomes' three-run homer made it 7-0 in the sixth.
Zambrano struck out five and had no walks. He's had an excellent spring, allowing just five runs and 11 hits in 22 innings.
"I'm very excited to get an opportunity to be the No. 2 starter," Zambrano said. "I've been working hard to get ready in spring training. I've been getting better."
Game notes
After 49 seasons, the Phillies will play their final game at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium on Friday against the New York Yankees. The Phillies will move into a new stadium next spring. Hall of Famer Robin Roberts, who pitched in the first game at Jack Russell in 1955, will throw out the first pitch on Friday. ... Zambrano is scheduled to face Boston's Tim Wakefield in Tampa Bay's second game on Tuesday. Joe Kennedy, who has struggled in the spring, will start the Devil Rays' season opener. ... The Phillies traded minor league catcher Marcus Jensen to the Yankees for a player to be named. They also sent left-hander Bud Smith and catcher Jeremy Salazar to their minor league complex, reducing their roster to 35.