DANNY DUFFY notched his first victory of the season Wednesday night in Burlington, Iowa.
Not only a win, but nearly a no-hitter.
Duffy, who entered the contest with an ugly ERA on the north side of eight after three so-so outings, shackled the Clinton Lumber Kings, a hard-hitting outfit affiliated with the Texas Rangers. The Kings own the best record in the Midwest League.
Duffy allowed only a single base hit over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked three.
Most impressive the Lumber Kings’ # 2, 3 and 4 hitters, who came in batting .354, .327 and .323, went a collective 0-for-11 against Duffy.
He had everybody popping up as he allowed only one ground ball out until he departed in the sixth inning due to his pitch limit. He was leading 1-0.
He got two fly-outs and a pop up sandwiched around a walk in the first inning. In the second he ran into his only difficulty. He allowed a single between two infield pops, then walked two to load the bases. He escaped damage on a fly ball to left field.
After that he cruised. He got the Kings 1-2-3 in the third on a ground out, a strikeout, and a fly ball. In the fourth he recorded a strikeout, then he plunked a batter, then got a fly out and a pop up. In the fifth it was 1-2-3 again on a fly out, pop up and fly out. In the sixth he finished with a fly out and a strikeout against the Kings’ .327 and .323 hitters.
What an evening. His ERA sank three whole points to 5.71. The stellar performance may mean that Duffy has shed his early get-acquainted butterflies.
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