Mets prospect Montero hurls 5 1/3 hitless innings
Righty departs due to high pitch count, but earns fourth win, lowers ERA to 3.67
Right-hander Rafael Montero, the Mets' No. 2 prospect, threw 5 1/3 hitless innings Friday as Triple-A Las Vegas defeated Salt Lake, 6-3.
Montero carried his no-hitter into the sixth inning before his high pitch count caught up to him. He had thrown 98 pitches after retiring J.B. Shuck to begin the inning, prompting manager Wally Backman to summon reliever Buddy Carlyle from the bullpen.
Angels No. 2 prospect Taylor Lindsey, the first batter to face Carlyle, doubled, quickly ending any hopes of a combined no-hitter for the 51s.
Montero, who is ranked No. 78 on MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list, struck out five batters and walked three. In eight starts this season, he is 4-1 with a 3.67 ERA. He has 41 strikeouts and 18 walks in 41 2/3 innings.
Friday also marked the return to the Las Vegas lineup for outfielder Cesar Puello, the Mets' No. 8 prospect. He had been away from the team this week for personal reasons. He went 0-for-4 in the victory.