Luis Mendoza Throws No-Hitter* for Omaha

*Note: The official scorer has changed a ruling on a play in the ninth inning.  David Lough had been charged with an error, but it has been reversed to a hit, so Mendoza has thrown a one-hitter.  Let the controversy commence.

**Follow up: The changed ruling has, apparently, been reversed and Lough is charged with an error, thus making the result a no-hitter for Mendoza.  Weird bunch of rulings, but it was overturned by the Memphis official scorekeeper originally, then reversed afterward.  Memphis appealed the reversal of the overturned decision and it was granted by the PCL – so no no-no for Luis Mendoza.

Right at the end of spring training last season, the Royals acquired Luis Mendoza from the Texas Rangers.  He pitched in just four innings, surrendering 10 runs for a 22.50 ERA.

It’s safe to say his 2011 in Omaha has been more of a success.

Weeks removed from being named a Pacific Coast League All-Star, Mendoza threw a no-hitter against Memphis, striking out seven and walking four.

Perhaps just as impressive, Mendoza’s previous start saw him take a no-hitter into the eighth inning.

He has a 2.30 ERA over 98 innings pitched with a 1.20 WHIP.

Since he’s not on the 40 man roster, it’s pretty unlikely he’ll get back to Kansas City this year, especially with the performance of the rookies in the bullpen.  The Royals already have a six man starting rotation going along with their strong relievers, and Mendoza’s year in Omaha, while strong, hasn’t been dominant, as he’s carried a 48/37 K/BB ratio to this point in the year.  He has a career 8.43 ERA in 84.1 innings at the big league level.