Kernels' Wells spins six scoreless frames
Tyler Wells couldn't wait to get back from the disabled list. The right-handed Twins prospect just thought about throwing strikes, and as his rehab progressed, his goal remained the same.In his second start back, Wells (3-0) allowed two hits and struck out seven over six innings as Class A Cedar
In his second start back, Wells (3-0) allowed two hits and struck out seven over six innings as Class A Cedar Rapids topped Clinton, 7-2, on Tuesday at Ashford University Field.
Gameday box score
"I felt pretty confident," he said. "During that little stint of being on the DL, I was able to figure out some things, get a feel for all my pitches. That's been a big thing going into my past two starts is being able to throw all my pitches for strikes and basically be able to throw them where I want."
On May 12, Wells was sidelined with a shoulder impingement that he said was similar to bicep tendinitis. The 22-year-old couldn't begin throwing for a week and he ended up missing 18 days with the injury.
"It's pretty frustrating. I've always been one of those guys, I like to be out there with my team, I like to compete. I don't like having to sit out for a long period of time. And I know there are guys who have had long stints on the DL, but two weeks felt like an eternity for me," he said. "I try and stay as healthy as I possibly can, I try to be a workhorse on the mound. I take pride in it. So not being out there really stings a little bit, but I'm happy to be out there with my teammates."
Wells worked around a leadoff single by
Wells was proud to get through six frames for the first time since April 26, throwing 56 of his 83 pitches for strikes.
![](https://milb.bamcontent.com/assets/images/2/7/0/221450270/cuts/milb_300_4_patq8fnk_timudjpz.jpg)
"It's really, really heartwarming for me because it basically shows that I'm able to be efficient enough with the pitch count that I have right now," the Cal State Bernardino product said. "Knowing that I can go into the sixth and have efficient innings is pretty good and keep them between 10 to 15 pitches each is pretty good. I think it really shows how I've been attacking the hitters and trying to be efficient and getting quick outs, especially ground-ball outs."
In two starts since coming back from injury, Wells has yielded three hits and two walks with 17 strikeouts over 10 scoreless innings. The 15th-round pick in last year's Draft lowered his season ERA to 2.05 in 44 innings across eight starts, and Wells gave a lot of credit to his support system of catchers
"[I've been] aggressive. I've always been that way. It worked for me in college pretty well ... being able to throw all your pitches for strikes, being able to mix things up really well. I think a big turning point was the relationship between me and my catchers," the 6-foot-8 hurler said. "I think having that connection with my catchers and talking to my pitching coach, I think all those come into play as far as my success so far this season."
Wells also has gotten support from
"Oh my, what I didn't I see out of him? That kid is something else. He's truly fun to watch, every at-bat's a grind, he goes out there and he just wants to hit. And watching him every day at the plate, it's a pleasure," Wells said. "To be honest, whenever I watch him, I don't know how to get him out, and he's on my own team.
"It's really fun. Not only is he a great hitter, he's a great shortstop. I love having him at shortstop, he makes great plays all the time. He's just a great person in general."
Kelsie Heneghan is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow her on Twitter @Kelsie_Heneghan.