Turnbull strikes out a career-high 12 for Whitecaps
Tigers No. 5 prospect retires first 12 hitters before allowing a hit for Class A West Michigan
The season may be winding down, but Spencer Turnbull is just getting going.
The Tigers' No. 5 prospect turned in his best start as a professional Tuesday, striking out a career-high 12 batters over 6 2/3 scoreless innings as Class A West Michigan defeated Great Lakes, 10-0.
Turnbull improved to 11-3 with the win, while the scoreless outing lowered his ERA from 3.19 to 3.01.
The 22-year-old right-hander carried a no-hit bid into the fifth inning before surrendering a leadoff double to Jimmy Allen -- which would turn out to be the only hit he allowed -- and he also walked a pair and hit two batters. Turnbull struck out the side twice en route to piling up 12 punchouts, and at one point retired 10 consecutive Loons.
Turnbull established a career-high with seven strikeouts in his Aug. 26 start against South Bend before fanning 12 hitters on Tuesday, giving him 106 strikeouts in 116 2/3 innings on the season.
The 2014 second-rounder has struggled with his control throughout the year, as evidenced by his 52 walks and 1.35 WHIP, but his knack for missing bats and keeping the ball in the park (0 HR allowed) has allowed him to consistently minimize the damage.
The Alabama product has been excellent over his last five starts for the Whitecaps, going 3-0 with a 2.22 ERA and 34/8 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 28 1/3 innings.