Tigers Mize Impressive In Double-A Debut With No-No
ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — Warm up the bus, Mize could be ready for the show.
Detroit Tigers No. 1 draft pick Casey Mize pitched a no-hitter for the Erie SeaWolves in his Double-A debut Monday night.
Mize threw 98 pitches while overpowering the Altoona Curve. He hit the first batter of the game but got a groundball double play. He struck out seven and walked one, facing one over the minimum.
"Dominant," manager Mike Rabelo said . "No deep counts, the only blemish was a hit-by-pitch and a walk. He was absolutely electric tonight."
The 21-year-old right-hander was selected first overall last summer after a strong career at Auburn. He made four starts with Class A Lakeland this season prior to his promotion, going 2-0 with an 0.35 ERA.
LAKELAND, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 19: Jake Rogers #84 of the Detroit Tigers poses for a portrait during photo day at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on February 19, 2019 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Erie won the game 1-0. Mize credited catcher Jake Rogers and his fielders afterward. Outfielder Derek Hill — a first-round pick in 2014 — made a diving catch in the third inning, and right fielder Jose Azocar made a sliding catch in the fifth.
"It was definitely one of those days where, I don't know, it just felt like auto pilot," Mize said. "I've said that before. So it was just a good day."
Mize pitched Erie's second no-hitter in six days. Alex Faedo — Detroit's first-round pick in 2017 — started a combined no-hitter Wednesday, ending Erie's 10-year drought without one.
Mize was called for a pitch-clock violation early in the ninth inning but shook off the automatic ball. He retired Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Jared Oliva on a popup to second base to complete the gem. Erie never had anybody throwing in the bullpen.
"I threw one last year in college, and I wish I would have enjoyed it more," Mize said. "So I think I kind of learned from that, and so I'm definitely going to let this one soak in."
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