Nelson whiffs 11 in first Minors start since Crew debut
Top prospect allows one run over 7 2/3 frames for Triple-A club, lowers ERA to 1.64
Right-hander Jimmy Nelson's last start came in Miami, a Major League start at Marlins Park for the Brewers in which he picked up his first career win following 5 2/3 shutout innings.
Nelson, the Brewers' top prospect, returned to Triple-A Nashville like a pitcher ready to get back on a big league mound.
Nelson struck out a career-high 11 batters over 7 2/3 innings as the Sounds beat the Iowa Cubs, 2-1, on Saturday. Nelson, who turns 25 on Thursday, gave up one run on three hits and two walks as he improved to 6-1 with a 1.64 ERA this season.
Nelson, ranked No. 70 on MLBPipeline.com's Top 100 Prospects list, has racked up 69 strikeouts while allowing only 40 hits and 19 walks in 65 2/3 innings for Nashville this year.
Nelson is holding opposing hitters to a .174 batting average, and he has pitched at least six innings in each of his 10 starts. He has thrown at least seven innings in five of his last seven Minor League starts.
The right-hander struck out six, scattered five hits and walked three in a spot start for the Brewers last Sunday.