TAMPA, Fla. -- The minor leagues' new extra-inning rule led to a bizarre victory for the Clearwater Threshers on Monday night.
The Philadelphia Phillies' Class A affiliate had no hits and no walks against the Tampa Tarpons, yet it beat the New York Yankees' Florida State League club 1-0.
Clearwater took advantage of a rule introduced this season that places a runner at second base at the start of each extra inning to cut down on marathon games. The rule has been criticized by baseball traditionalists. On Monday, it made it possible for Tampa to lose despite a nearly perfect game.