Hansen nabs five hitless frames for Bandits
Class A Quad Cities has played most of its games on the road this season, so it's been easy for Austin Hansen to find a rhythm away from home. But his performance Tuesday was about more than just rhythm.The 22-year-old Astros right-hander didn't allow a hit over five innings as
Class A Quad Cities has played most of its games on the road this season, so it's been easy for
The 22-year-old Astros right-hander didn't allow a hit over five innings as the River Bandits routed the Peoria Chiefs, 8-0, at Dozer Park. Hansen (2-1) struck out five and walked three in his second scoreless start of the young season.
"Me and [catcher]
The 2018 eighth-round pick struck out leadoff batter
After getting a quick groundout from
Gameday box score
"I tried to just focus on taking good breaths and taking it one pitch at a time. That's my biggest thing when I throw a couple balls in a row or get squeezed by the umpires," said the native of Lenexa, Kansas. "That pitch is over with, and I need to be on to the next one and get that guy out."
Hansen walked Herrera again on eight pitches to open the fifth, but he quickly got
"I had an idea that was my last inning, because that first inning I threw about 30 pitches and knew the pitch count was up there. But I didn't really change anything knowing it was my last inning," Hansen said. "Keep doing the same thing. Keep making the pitch."
Tuesday's outing wasn't the first five-inning gem of the season for the 2018 eighth-round pick, who made his full-season debut in scintillating fashion April 9 in Clinton when he struck out 11 LumberKings without a walk while allowing two hits over five frames.
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Hansen's second start on April 16 didn't go quite as well, however, and it was just the second home game of the season for the River Bandits after flooding in Davenport, Iowa, caused their opening series to be moved to Burlington.
"I think it was just me trying to do too much in my second start," he said. "Every game we'd pitched had been on the road because of the flooding, so it's about finding that groove. I was definitely trying to do way too much. This was more about attacking hitters, attacking the zone and not really focusing on the outcome."
Chris Tripodi is a producer for MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @christripodi.