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07/25/2006 12:39 AM ET
Swarzak speeds through one-hitter
Fort Myers hurler works off fastball in 6-0 shutout of Palm Beach
By Christopher Heine / Special to MLB.com
Anthony Swarzak made everything play off his fastball in a one-hitter vs. Palm Beach. (Fort Myers Miracle)

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Anthony Swarzak's heater was about all the Fort Myers pitcher needed to one-hit Palm Beach on Monday night.

Swarzak (6-6) struck out four and issued two walks during his complete-game performance, a 6-0 shutout of the Cardinals at William Hammond Stadium.

The 20-year-old right-hander said he threw his low- to mid-90s fastball "75 to 80 percent of the time" while tossing just 88 pitches on the evening. The only time a Palm Beach hitter reached second base was on Randy Roth's fifth-inning double.

"I live and die with my fastball," Swarzak said. "That's my best pitch and I was locating it really well. I kept my fastball down when I needed to, and I elevated my fastball when I needed to. And then I had my curveball and change-up working.

"I just felt good up there," he added. "It was probably my best performance as a [Minor Leaguer] so far."

The 6-foot-3 Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native, who threw multiple no-hitters in high school, wasn't shy about admitting a possible no-no was at least briefly on his mind entering the fifth frame.

"No one said anything to me," Swarzak said. "But, I looked up at the scoreboard and thought, 'Oh man.' It definitely crossed my mind for a moment. Then, I told myself that I couldn't think about it, knocked on wood and went out there to do my job. I didn't let it [distract] me."

The 2004 second-round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins lowered his ERA to 3.50. The top-rated right-handed pitching prospect has 102 strikeouts and 41 walks over 20 starts at the Class A Advanced level.

Steve Tolleson ripped a two-out single in the second and Deacon Burns followed with his second homer of the year for the Miracle (17-12).

Palm Beach starter Cory Meacham (0-2) surrendered five runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out three and issued one walk while absorbing the loss for the Cardinals (13-19).

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.