Drew Anderson made history in his Class A Advanced debut Sunday as he -- along with two other Clearwater hurlers -- combined to throw a nine-inning no-hitter in a 4-0 win over St. Lucie. It was the second no-hitter thrown in the Florida State League this season.
Anderson racked up six strikeouts over four innings, throwing 32 of his 51 pitches for strikes, before a 45-minute lightning delay ended his afternoon. He retired the first seven hitters he faced before issuing a one-out walk in the bottom of the third -- the only baserunner he permitted in the outing.
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"After the fourth inning, I was in the clubhouse doing my arm care and I came out in the bottom of in the eighth," Anderson told MiLB.com. "I was like, 'Wow. All right, Will.'"
Before he joined the Threshers, Anderson, 22, posted a 3.38 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings (seven starts) for Class A Lakewood.
"Coming up from [Class A], I just wanted to throw strikes and get through the game," Anderson told MiLB.com. "With a no-hitter going, that's something special right there.
"What was working for me was my fastball and my curveball. Those were working really good. I was commanding my curveball where I wanted it, and then when I needed the fastball, I'd throw it on the corner and they just went swinging at it."
Right-hander Will Morris took over for Anderson following the delay and delivered four strong innings, striking out four and walking one, while finding the zone with 38 of his 58 pitches. The 23-year-old, who has served as a swingman for the Threshers, has logged a 3.65 ERA over 61 2/3 innings this season between Clearwater and Double-A Reading.
Victor Arano worked the ninth inning to seal the feat for the Threshers. The 21-year-old righty has pitched to a 2.70 ERA over 27 appearances out of the bullpen, with 57 strikeouts against 14 walks in 50 innings.
Phillies No. 14 prospect Carlos Tocci paced Clearwater at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a run scored, while shortstop Malquin Canelo (No. 12) went 1-for-4 with an RBI.