Rick DeHart nearly became part of Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks history Sunday at Newman Outdoor Field.
The Kansas City left-handed starting pitcher settled for a victory.
DeHart carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning in the T-Bones 4-2 Northern League victory against the RedHawks before 3,727 fans.
F-M still hasn't been no-hit in its 12-year franchise history.
"At this time of year, we have to win," said DeHart, who faced the minimum through eight innings. "The no-hitter would have been icing on the cake."
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F-M (20-9 second half, 46-30) remained six games ahead of Winnipeg for first place in the North Division in the second half with 19 games to play in the regular season.
The 37-year-old DeHart said Sunday was the first time he held a team hitless through eight innings in his 16-year professional career.
"They hit some balls pretty hard," DeHart said. "Luckily, it was a day game and the wind wasn't blowing."
RedHawks catcher Adam Shorsher led off the ninth inning with a ground-ball single into center field.
T-Bones second baseman Rob Watson made a diving attempt at the grounder, but the ball nicked off his glove into center field.
"The way it was going for me, I didn't think it was going to get through," said Shorsher, who also drew a walk in the third inning. "It seems like all the stars were aligned for him."
In the sixth inning, Shorsher hit a deep drive down the left-field line that cleared the fence, but curled foul. Shorsher struck out later in that at-bat. He is batting 2-for-20 in the last seven games.
DeHart was lifted after giving up the single to Shorsher. DeHart threw 95 pitches, struck out seven and walked one. The RedHawks scored two runs off Kansas City closer Matt Schweitzer. Both runs scored on a Joe Mathis single to center field. One of those runs was credited to DeHart.
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RedHawks designated hitter Tydus Meadows, representing the tying run, flew out to center field to end the game.
"We've got to find a little spark and get our team hitting again," RedHawks manager Doug Simunic said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Eric Peterson at (701) 241-5513.
Peterson's prep sports blog can be found at www.areavoices.com
