Milwaukee Brewers: Four pitchers combine for Biloxi no hitter

The Biloxi Shuckers split a double header on Monday against the Tennessee Smokies. Little did the Milwaukee Brewers Double A team know, their win would make franchise history.

In a very slim victory where the offense mustered only one run, the pitching staff dazzled Tennessee hitters. In fact, four pitchers combined to throw the first no hitter ever for the Milwaukee Brewers minor league affiliate.

Toeing the rubber to start the latter half of the doubleheader was Hiram Burgos. He was later relieved by Forrest Snow, Nick Ramirez, and Jorge Lopez. This cast of hurlers was able to completely shut down the opposing offense.

So let’s meet the arms that produced Biloxi history.

Hiram Burgos

Burgos threw only two innings in the start. He averaged a strikeout an inning.

He is not a name to watch by any means, however. The 30 year old right hander has actually seen time in a Milwaukee Brewers uniform. Back in 2013 he appeared in just under 30 innings. The results were not great. Burgos posted an ERA above six, along with a 1.67 WHIP.

If he can pitch well enough there is a chance for him to be in Milwaukee once again. But the future for a pitcher who just turned 30 pitching at the Double A level can best be described as bleak.

For now, though, Burgos can celebrate being a part of a rare baseball feat. To throw a no hitter at any level is not easy.

Forrest Snow

Incidentally one of the best names in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Snow logged three innings in relief, and picked up the win. He also logged four strikeouts, and lost the perfect game bid by walking one batter.

Snow is 28 years old, and has been a career minor leaguer. He was selected in the 36th round of the 2010 draft by the Seattle Mariners, and has been progressing through the minors ever since. In 2013, his career hit a road bump when he was suspended 50 games for breaking the substance abuse policy.

It was in 2016 when Snow signed with the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He started the 2017 season with Triple A, however he was quickly sent down. He has transitioned into a relief role for the Shuckers.

Nick Ramirez

The role Ramirez played in this game was throwing the sixth inning. He struck out one and walked one.

His story adds to the story of the no hitter very well. Ramirez is a 28 year old left handed pitcher. He was drafted in the fourth round of he 2011 draft as a first baseman. But after scattered success, and a .206 batting average last season for Biloxi, he is trying his hand on the mound.

With 2017 being his first experience pitching, it is going well. He carries a 1.07 ERA. He is 6-4 through 67.1 innings and has been looking sharp in his transition to the mound. His control is a lot better than expected for a transitioning pitcher, as he has only walked 22 during this time.

Jorge Lopez

Lopez is the youngest of the bunch at 24 years old. He threw the seventh and final inning of the no hit bid. He sealed the deal while collecting a strikeout on the way.

Not only is he the youngest, but he is the only one to have seen time with the Milwaukee Brewers this year. Lopez threw two innings in late June, giving up one run on four hits. He added to his MLB total, which currently sits at 12 innings.

While he may not be ready for the majors quite yet, he is ready for Double A. He has struck out 95 batters through 91 innings for Biloxi this year. The flip side to that is his 4.65 ERA. He still has room to grow, but could end up being a middle relief arm in Milwaukee before his career is over.

Next: Suter to the DL, Blazek DFA'd

One thing is for certain: Lopez, Burgos, Ramirez, and Snow pitched extremely well. They will now forever be a part of Biloxi Schuckers lore.