Twins prospect Stewart in command at A ball

Right-hander Kohl Stewart, the Twins' No. 4 prospect, threw five scoreless innings Thursday, and Class A Cedar Rapids defeated Lake County, 4-3.

Stewart, ranked No. 32 on MLBPipeline.com's Top 100 Prospects list, avoided trouble throughout his outing. He scattered four hits and didn't walk a batter. He didn't allow a runner to advance past second base.

Stewart struck out three batters and induced nine groundouts. For just the third time this season, he left the game without having allowed a run. Three relievers followed him to finish off the victory, and right-hander Nick Burdi, the Twins' second-round pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, pitched the ninth inning to earn his first professional save.

Burdi's first save was not without drama, however. After starting the ninth with two quick outs, he walked two batters, threw a wild pitch and gave up back-to-back singles. The game ended when Jorge Martinez, representing the potential tying run, was thrown out at third base by left fielder Jon Murphy.

Thanks to Murphy's clutch assist, Stewart picked up his second straight victory and improved to 3-5 this season. The 19-year-old ranks third in the Midwest League with a 2.42 ERA and has struck out 58 batters and walked 23 in 81 2/3 innings.