Williams twirls gem in Triple-A debut
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New level, same dominant form for Gavin Williams.
The second-ranked Guardians prospect took the hill for Triple-A Columbus -- in his debut at the Minors' highest level -- and tossed 5 1/3 scoreless frames, working around three hits and a trio of walks while fanning six to pace the Clippers' 7-0 blanking of Indianapolis at Victory Field.
And he didn't have much time to get acclimated to his new team or surroundings.
"I flew in yesterday and got to the team hotel last night, then on the bus this morning to the field," Williams said. "But I didn't try to do too much special today. Just tried to think of it as another game really. Just go out there and fill up the zone."
Over his three previous starts this season with Double-A Akron, Williams allowed a single run while scattering six hits and whiffing 20 over 14 1/3 innings. The right-hander posted a 0.63 WHIP and .120 average against in the Eastern League.
"I just mainly do the same thing every time I go out there, which is stick to my strengths and just go off of that, really," Williams said. "The fastball and slider were really good for me today, those were the main things that were working."
Against Indianapolis, MLB Pipeline's No. 37 overall prospect was on cruise control through most of his outing. Williams retired the side in order in the first, needing 11 pitches to navigate the opening frame. After yielding a leadoff walk in the second, the East Carolina product was aided by a baserunning blunder that resulted in an out at second. He also induced a pair of groundouts that helped him escape the inning unscathed.
Williams made quick work in the third, striking out Josh Bissonette on three pitches to start the frame before yielding a base hit to Chavez Young. The Fayetteville, N.C., native got an assist from catcher Bo Naylor on the next batter as the duo combined for a strike-him-out, throw-him-out double play to end the inning. Williams punched out Cal Mitchell and Young was caught stealing at second.
Williams worked around a base hit in the fourth by striking out a pair and coaxing Miguel Andújar into a soft ground ball to second. The 6-foot-6, 250-pounder retired the side in order on 11 pitches in the fifth, whiffing Bissonette again to end the frame.
"I had a game with Bo once last year when he was with Akron and we had good chemistry. I think that carried over today," Williams said. "I know what Bo could do and I just trust him."
The sixth proved to be the only time Williams found himself in a jam. After yielding back to back walks to open the inning, Williams got Ryan Vilade to hit a ground ball to third but the Clippers could not go around the horn fast enough for the double play. With one out in the frame and runners on the corners, Williams exited the game. He finished with 89 pitches -- 56 were strikes.
His line was kept intact as Luis Oviedo induced an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play from Andújar.
Oviedo, Sam Hentges, Thomas Ponticelli and Michael Kelly combined to close out the shutout for Columbus.