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.

2015 Draft Lottery

While the Draft Lottery usually takes place soon after the season is over, the 2015 lottery has been delayed by numerous difficulties. First it tested positive for illegal supplements, then it was held captive by Russian mercenaries, and then finally hacked by Eric Snowden... but I digress. The Lottery was held last night in a secret, secure chamber deep in DMBL headquarters. Only four teams moved around much, though the many of the first few teams did get a draft-wide bump up one place from Saskatchewan folding.

The Winners

The biggest winner was the Arkansas Golden Falcons who moved up from number 4 to number 2. This is the highest the Falcons have ever picked without making a trade. Another winner is newcomer Charlotte Webbs, who also move two slots up from the #6/#7 position. The two new teams will swap positions in the draft every other round.

The Losers

With two winners, there must be two losers. The steepest fall belongs to the Hillsborough Hired Hitmen, who fall all the way to #6 from #3. Surely owner Brent Campbell is penning a hateful diatribe to the commissioner even as we speak! Also falling are the Hopatcong Floating Fish, who fall merely to #3 from the #2 spot. However, the Floating Fish would have picked #3 anyway if the Shields hadn't folded.