Cougars' Reed posts six hitless frames

A night after his roommate and fellow Class A Cougars starter Sam McWilliams logged five hitless innings, Cody Reed took things a step further Wednesday night.
Arizona's No. 19 prospect didn't allow a hit and tied a career high with 11 strikeouts in six innings as Kane County routed Wisconsin, 13-0, at Fox Cities Stadium. 

"We're roommates on the road so we talk and talk," Reed said. "We felt really good coming into the series. If the team is feeling good, then we're feeling good, and the two of us both just had really great days."
Reed set the tone in the first inning by striking out Demi Orimoloye and Mario Feliciano before getting Tucker Neuhaus to pop out to third base. 
Box score
"I was locating my two-seam fastball on the outside part of the plate. I was able to keep it down and threw it for a lot of strikes. I'm just getting the ball to the plate, that's all there is to it. You just need to compete and throw strikes," the southpaw added. 
After needing just four pitches to retire the first two hitters in the second, Reed issued a five-pitch walk to Ryan Aguilar. The 20-year-old quickly got back in rhythm by striking out Jose Cuas.
"It was no big deal. Walks happen everyday," he explained. "I just focused on coming right back to get the next guy and was able to get right back after it."
The third provided no trouble for Reed, who fanned Jonathan Oquendo and Demi Orimoloye -- both looking -- en route to another clean frame.
Wisconsin's second baserunner got aboard with one out in the fourth when Neuhaus reached on a fielding error by second baseman Luis Alejandro Basabe. Working out of the stretch for the second time, Reed picked up his second baseman by getting two quick outs. 
"A pitcher always has to have his infielders' and outfielders' backs. You can't get mad about things like that. It's been windy and tough to see since we got here," Reed said. 
The Cougars offense broke the game open with a six-run fifth in which they batted around. The long layoff didn't bother Reed, who played the role of cheerleader until he got back to the rubber.
"I wasn't concerned about getting cold," he said. "If we're hitting, we just need to keep on hitting, the more runs we score, the more comfortable I'm going to feel on the mound. That's all I can say about that."
Reed got even stronger over his final two innings, adding four more K's in two 1-2-3 frames to complete his outing. 
In four starts this season, the 2014 second-round pick has racked up 27 punchouts in 20 innings while amassing a 1.35 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. Putting up K's is nothing new for Reed, who has averaged 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings through 191 1/3 career frames in the Minor Leagues. 
Last year, Reed collected a 1.82 ERA in seven starts with Kane County before moving to Class A Advanced Visalia. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound hurler wasn't able to carry his momentum to the California League, where he struggled to a 6.06 ERA in 35 2/3 innings. 
Should Reed get back to the Rawhide this year, he knows what he needs to do to ensure he retains his current form. 
"I'm just focused on taking what I do here and bringing it to Visalia," Reed said. "Last year, I didn't do that. I got in my own head when I got there last year, worrying about the ball leaving the yard in those parks. That's the last thing you want to do as a pitcher. So this time, I'm just going to take what I do here and make sure I bring it with me."

Riley Smith took over for Reed to begin the seventh and gave up a leadoff double to right field to Neuhaus.
Smith and D-backs No. 29 prospect Tyler Mark didn't allow another hit the rest of the way, combining for three scoreless frames. 

"I spoke to Smith after the game and told him it was no big deal, what's a no-hitter anyway?" Reed said. "It doesn't matter. We got the win and that's what important. He pitched a great game, kudos to those two guys -- I like having them behind me."
Braden Webb (1-2) was roughed up for six runs on six hits in three innings. 
Every member of the Kane County starting lineup collected at least one hit. D-backs No. 21 prospect Marcus Wilson reached base four times and drove in three runs to pace the offense.