Ross faces the minimum in 3-0 shutout

Livingston's Tyson Ross faced the minimum 27 batters Thursday night but it didn't turn out to be a no-hitter. It wasn't nearly as dramatic as Mike Fiers' recent bid for the league's first-ever perfect game either.

The 28-year-old was cruising along when Dustin Pedroia innocuously singled to shallow left with one out in the sixth. Charlotte's second baseman was erased when the next batter, Jean Segura, grounded into a double play and Ross quietly remained in control, leading the Lords of Swing to a 3-0 win over the Webbs at Livingston Stadium.

Ross finished with 8 strikeouts in his near-perfect one-hitter, tossing 71 of his 109 pitches for strikes. Only six of the 27 outs were via fly balls. It was his second complete game of the year and his first career shutout. He got all the offense he would need early with Livingston's three-run first inning, including Robinson Cano's two-run double.

Ross improved to a team-leading 6-4, lowered his ERA to 3.14 and his WHIP to 0.98 (now fourth in the league). He now stands eighth in the league in strikeouts (85), and second in trio of categories: batting average allowed (.193), slugging percentage allowed (.280), and hits per 9 innings (6.2).

Last season, his first in the DMBL, Ross went 12-9 in 30 starts for Livingston.