Stephen Gonsalves
photo by Tim Evearitt
Sevierville, TN . . . After dropping two straight one-run games to Tennessee, Stephen Gonsalves and two teammates shut down the Smokies Tuesday night, 4-0, at Smokies Park.
The Twins' fifth-ranked prospect recorded a season-high 11 strikeouts over six innings as Double-A Chattanooga beat Tennessee, 4-0.
Gonsalves (3-1) gave up four hits and did not walk a batter in his fourth start since a promotion from the Florida State League. He survived an opening inning in which he surrendered two singles and hit a batter before recording a second out.
From there, the 22-year-old left-hander cruised, fanning five in a row at one point and throwing 67 of 97 pitches for strikes.
He had walked 11 batters in his first three appearances with Chattanooga. Gonsalves continues to pile up strikeouts as he has 30 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings since being promoted.
Jake Reed took over for Gonsalves and kept the shutout alive with two clean frames. He allowed one hit, walked one and struck out one. Trevor Hildenberger closed out the ninth with a perfect inning while striking out two.
Levi Michael had a huge night at the plate. The former first-round pick went 3-for-3 with a triple, two RBI and a walk.
Shannon Wilkerson reached base four times and scored a pair of runs.
Leonardo Reginatto stole his seventh base as part of a multi-hit night at the plate. Mitch Garver was named Twins Minor League player of the week after batting .455 last week but he went 0-for-4 tonight.
Box
The Smokies and Lookouts will conclude their five-game series on Wednesday afternoon with the first pitch set for 12:05 p.m. EST. Tennessee is expected to turn to RHP Paul Blackburn (6-3, 2.83 ERA) while Chattanooga is expected to give the mound to RHP Kohl Stewart (2-4, 4.21 ERA).
Levi Michael was 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI.
photo by Tim Evearitt