Morales, three relievers combine for no-hitter

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published May 11, 2008 at 6:21 p.m.

Text size

More Colorado Rockies

Franklin Morales on Sunday combined with three relievers with Triple-A Colorado Springs to pitch the first no-hitter in Security Service Field history in an effort that underscored why Morales is where he is.

Morales, ranked the top prospect in the Rockies organization, worked five innings in his first start for the Sky Sox since being dropped from the Rockies rotation and sent to the minors to get his mechanics in order.

While Morales didn't give up a hit, he did walk six batters and allowed a run in the Sky Sox's 5-1 victory against Albuquerque in Colorado Springs. Morales struck out three and threw 49 strikes out of 90 pitches. Relievers Chris George, Matt Daley and Steven Register worked the final four innings.

"He has the stuff, but the command is the big issue," Sky Sox manager Tom Runnells said by phone. "When he is around the plate, he is unhittable, but he gets himself in trouble."

Albuquerque scored in the fourth when Morales appeared distracted after being called for a balk when he rubbed his hand on his chin. He walked Andrew Beattie to start the inning. After Jason Wood reached on third baseman Ian Stewart's throwing error, Dallas McPherson walked to load the bases and Paul Hoover hit a sacrifice fly. Morales struck out the next two batters.

Morales, 21, was sent down after an April 28 start at San Francisco. He was 1-2 with a 6.39 ERA in five starts. After pitching six shutout innings in his first start this season, he gave up 18 runs in 191/3 innings, allowing 26 hits and 14 walks.

Initially, Morales was sent to extended spring training in Tucson to work with organization pitching coordinator Jim Wright on his mechanics.

"Overall, he was better," said Wright, who was in attendance. "He was not missing by a whole lot. He is going to walk a few guys while he relearns his arm slot, but he was pitching at 91, 92 (mph) and hit 95. It's going to take a couple weeks to get him back to where he needs to be."

Subscribe to the Rocky Mountain News