No-hitter at World Baseball Classic
A promising 19-year-old Dutch pitcher made history at the World Baseball Classic on Friday.
Shairon Martis tossed the fledgling tournament's first-ever no-hitter, to lead the Netherlands to a 10-0 victory over Panama.
The game was called after seven innings because of the mercy rule. The rule comes into effect if a team is winning by 15 runs after five innings or 10 runs after seven innings.
Martis needed exactly 65 pitches â the WBC's pitch limit â to complete the historic feat.
Martis almost lost the no-hitter in the bottom of the seventh, when Adolfo Rivera smashed a pitch down the third-base line.
The well-hit ball ricocheted off the glove of third-baseman Ivanon Coffie and into right field. The official scorer ruled there was an error on the play to keep the no-hitter intact.
Panama second baseman Yoni Lasso followed by flying out to centre field before Martis induced Cesar Quintero to ground into a game-ending double play.
Martis, who signed with the Giants organization last year as a non-drafted free agent, pitched for the Arizona Giants in the Rookie League in 2005, going 2-1 with a 1.85 earned-run average in 11 games.
He struck out 50 batters in 34 innings, walking just nine.
"He's a very young, good pitcher who I believe will have a long career," said Netherlands manager Robert Eenhoorn before Friday's game.
"He's an exciting kid."
Despite the win, the Netherlands will not advance to the next round, having lost their first two games in Group C action. Panama finished with an 0-3 record.
Cuba and Puerto Rico were the teams to advance from the group.