2018 Texas Rangers first rounder Cole Winn has had an inauspicious start to the season, struggling in full season ball and causing some consternation over whether the Rangers have somehow mishandled him. If you have been worried about Winn, however, tonight’s start should help ease your mind some. Winn went 4 shutout IP, allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk, striking out 3, and throwing 37 strikes out of 57 pitches. It is pretty easily his best outing of the year. Ronny Henriquez, coming in behind Winn, was even better, allowing just a single hit in 3 shutout innings with 6 Ks.
Among the Hickory hitters, Sherten Apostel had a homer and a walk in his first game back after his three game suspension. Apostel now has an 803 OPS on the year, which is pretty remarkable if you remember how badly he struggled early in the year. Pedro Gonzalez had a homer and a double, Tyreque Reed had a homer and a single, and Matt Whatley had 2 hits and 2 walks.
Joe Palumbo made his first start for AAA Nashville, giving up 4 runs in 4.1 IP, allowing 5 hits (including 2 home runs), 1 walk and 4 strikeouts. He threw 78 pitches, 50 for strikes. Scott Heineman, back in Nashville on his rehab assignment, had a single and a homer.
For Down East, Curtis Terry picked up his first high-A home run. Yohel Pozo had a single and a homer, and J.P. Martinez had a single and a double.