The Hartford Yard Goats were carrying a no-hitter heading into the ninth inning Tuesday night against the Trenton Thunder, but then things got a little out of hand.
Starting pitcher Rico Garcia did most of the damage, pitching six innings and recording 11 strikeouts. Then relievers Jordan Foley and Logan Cozart each pitched one inning without allowing a hit. Ben Bowden came in for the save, and recorded one out before facing Trenton's Matt Lipka.
With just two outs to go before finishing the no-hitter, Lipka decided to bunt on the first pitch he saw. It went down the first base line and he was safe at first.
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Here is the bunt that broke up the @GoYardGoats no-hit bid in the 9th. What does Hartford starter Rico Garcia think of it? 👉 https://t.co/JKJTmZDBEb pic.twitter.com/24r6ZHwEj4
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 5, 2019
Bunting to break up a no-hitter is an unwritten rule in baseball (even though some agree it's a stupid rule).
So when it happens, feelings get hurt. And that was the case Tuesday night as the benches cleared after the single.
Aftermath of a near fight at the end of the @GoYardGoats and @TrentonThunder game at Dunkin’ Donuts Park. 3-0 win for the Goats allowing only one hit as a team. #NoGoatsNoGlory #Pride #NBCCT @NBCConnecticut @GLucivero pic.twitter.com/N1QL5XUWFo
— Paul Ross (@RealPaulRoss) June 5, 2019
While there was clearly overall frustration by the team, Garcia wasn't too upset by the act itself. But he certainly wanted to see his team finish the no-hitter.
"It is what it is," Garcia said, via MILB.com. "[Lipka] was doing what he had to do. And we were really passionate about getting the no-hitter. It is what it is. I can't really speak for what he was trying to do or what he was trying to accomplish. It's unfortunate we couldn't get the no-hitter. Emotions were high after."
The Thunder finished with the lone hit and lost the game 3-0 as Bowden safely recorded the next two outs.
