Newcomer Gonzalez dominates in Sea Dogs' no-no

Maybe the second time is actually the charm.

On Sunday, Boston's Double-A affiliate Portland posted its second no-hitter of the year. And it was spearheaded by Wikelman Gonzalez in just his second start for the Sea Dogs.

The No. 11 Red Sox prospect struck out 10 over six hitless innings as three pitchers combined on the no-no in Portland's 6-2 victory over visiting New Hampshire at Hadlock Field. Gonzalez allowed a run and walked four en route to the milestone.

"I'm extremely happy about how things worked out," Gonzalez said through a team interpreter. "I'm happy to be here and have the support of my teammates. I thank God for the opportunity and for the success I've had so far."

The 21-year-old right-hander has been nothing short of electric since his promotion on July 14, having struck out 19 batters in just 12 innings for the Sea Dogs. Over that span, Gonzalez sports a 0.75 ERA after has yielding just one earned run on four hits and five walks.

Although Gonzalez knew that at 91 pitches after six frames -- five off his career high -- he needed to trust in his teammates to complete the no-hitter. Left-hander Brendan Cellucci went two frames and righty Luis Guerrero closed out the ninth.

"Part of me wanted to finish that game," Gonzalez said. "But I tried to stay focused on being pitch to pitch and not what was going on on the scoreboard or team stats or anything else going on. I just tried to compete, win every pitch and try to find a way and navigate through their lineup."

The Venezuela native, who signed with the Red Sox for $250,000 in 2018, seems to have found a recipe for not only carving through lineups, but for throwing strikes while he's doing it.

One whiff shy of 20 total in two games would be impressive for any pitcher but probably is even more so for Gonzalez at a new level.

Part of the reason Gonzalez has been so successful this season, and especially lately, is the strength of his curveball, which he considers instrumental to the high number of strikeouts he's racked up this season.

"I feel pretty confident in the curveball right now," Gonzalez said. "I feel like I can throw it at any time. Every time I have a chance to put a guy away -- whether he's left handed or right handed -- I feel like the curveball gives me a really good chance to [generate whiffs]."

Through 75 innings this season, Gonzalez is tied for second in the Minors with 124 strikeouts and sports an otherworldly 14.88 K/9. Additionally, the righty has recorded seven or more strikeouts in his past 11 starts.

Thriving at a level some consider the toughest to become acclimated to in the Minors, Gonzalez credits the process he's had since the beginning of the year -- and one he expects will carry him through the rest of his journey.

"Everything [about my routine] stayed consistent since my arrival in Portland," Gonzalez said. "And that is part of the reason why I've been so successful here. I've had a strong mentality throughout the course of the year. And I haven't changed anything, so I'm just trusting the process and doing what I can now that I’m here."

So with the righty's first Double-A win in the record and history books, Gonzalez and his team is looking forward to the postseason.

"I feel extremely happy," he said. "It's a big blessing from God. Even to have the opportunity to play the game [in general]. Now it's time to just keep pushing and be consistent throughout the course of the year and to find our way in the playoffs."