Owens extends hitless-innings streak to 15 2/3

Left-hander Henry Owens is going to remember this one.

On Sunday, Boston's No. 5 prospect turned 21. On Monday he extended his hitless-innings streak to 15 2/3 with five no-hit innings for Class A Advanced Salem.

"For me it was just another day," Owens told MiLB.com. "I'm on a bus right now with a bunch of 23- and 24-year-olds, so I'm just trying to fit in. I don't want them to treat me any differently. I'm growing up right in front of their eyes."

Owens struck out nine, one short of a career high, in the 5-2 victory over Potomac. He walked three batters and hit one in lowering his ERA to 2.78 and improving his record to 8-4.

"My curveball was not there early, but I got three strikeouts with it later," said Owens, ranked 77th on MLB.com's list of Top 100 prospects. "I made a couple of adjustments with it and was able to get it down in the zone by the fourth or fifth inning. I was using my fastball and changeup to keep them off balance. I threw [my changeup] in every situation -- behind in the count, ahead in the count, on 2-1 or with two strikes. I had a really good feel for it."

Overall, Owens has struck out 19 and has not given up a hit in his last two starts, a span of 11 innings. He hasn't given up a hit since July 11.

"I can't really explain it," he said. "It's just baseball. I'm in a nice rhythm, and hopefully I go again in five days."

Owens will pitch again on Saturday against Frederick.

"I'm trying to pitch to contact to go deeper into games, obviously," he said. "I would sacrifice the strikeouts for another inning or two, but I'm just hitting my spots right now."