When the Ducks signed an ex-Cy Young winner, even they couldn't expect this kind of performance right off the bat. Ten-year Major League veteran and 2020 National League Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer delivered a historic performance on Sunday, throwing the third no-hitter in Long Island Ducks franchise history during Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Lancaster Stormers at Penn Medicine Park.
Bauer was in complete command from the first pitch to the last. The right-hander tossed seven scoreless and hitless innings, allowing just one baserunner in the shortened doubleheader contest. After retiring the first 15 batters he faced, Kevin Watson Jr. reached on a one-out walk in the sixth inning. Bauer quickly regained control and retired the next five hitters to finish off the no-hitter.
He struck out seven batters while throwing 84 pitches, including 54 strikes, in a dominant outing that showcased the veteran’s experience and precision.
With the performance, Bauer became just the third pitcher in Ducks history to throw a no-hitter, joining Rod Henderson, who accomplished the feat on May 25, 2001 against Atlantic City, and Robert Stock, who did it on July 18, 2023 against Southern Maryland.
Bauer also became the ninth pitcher in Atlantic League history to record an individual no-hitter. It was the first seven-inning no-hitter in Ducks history and the first no-hitter ever thrown in the Atlantic League during the month of April. At 35 years old, Bauer also became the second-oldest pitcher in league history to accomplish the feat.
While Bauer dominated on the mound, the Ducks offense provided plenty of support in a 13-0 victory. Long Island broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning when Kole Kaler lined a two-run single down the left field line.
The Ducks then blew the game open with a four-run fifth inning, highlighted by Henry Kusiak’s two-run home run to right field and an RBI single from Alsander Womack.
Long Island added two more runs in the sixth inning when Kusiak scored on a passed ball and Wilmer Difo delivered an RBI single. In the seventh, Kusiak added a two-run ground-rule double before Gavin Collins capped the scoring with a two-run homer to left.
It was a memorable day for the Ducks, as Bauer’s historic no-hitter and a powerful offensive display gave Long Island one of the most impressive wins in franchise history.