Stephens tosses up more Daytona zeros

Daytona followed a familiar script in Wednesday's Florida State League game -- a dominant outing by the starting pitcher and a big performance at the plate from Taylor Sparks en route to a comfortable win.

Jackson Stephens allowed two hits over six scoreless innings in the Class A Advanced Tortugas' 10-3 win over the Dunedin Blue Jays. The Reds' No. 20 prospect, who hasn't allowed a run in his last three outings struck out two and walked two to improve 12-5 with a 2.84 ERA.

The right-hander got in and out of trouble early before settling in. Anthony Alford singled off him and stole second base to start the game and he plunked J.D. Davis with a pitch in the first inning. He issued walks to Mitch Nay and Jorge Saez respectively to start the next two frames.

"The first and second were really tough," Stephens said. "But I gained confidence as the game went on and got in a nice groove."

The Oxford, Alabama native was aided by a diving catch by left fielder Phil Ervin, Cincinnati's No. 11 prospect, to end the first. The good defense continued as it had in the previous night's victory, when No. 6 prospect Nick Travieso hurled five hitless frames.

The Tortugas turned a double play to end the sixth, with second baseman Wendell Soto charging a slow roller and throwing to shortstop Carlton Daal, who caught it with his bare hand and fired to first.

Stephens was pulled due to his pitch count and after 19 straight scoreless innings.

"I've just been attacking hitters, getting ahead in counts," he said.

By locating his "live fastball" early in at-bats, the 21-year-old has been able to use his changeup and curveball to finish off hitters. The Alabama native, drafted in 2012, is nearing the end of a breakout season and has been able to stay healthy after elbow soreness sidelined him for stretches last year.

Sparks, Cincinnati's No. 23 prospect, went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs a night after driving in five runs to lead his team offensively. Ervin stole a career-high three bases and has swiped seven bags in his last four games. Dayton is 13-5 against Dunedin this season.

With Daytona currently atop the standings in the Florida State League and making a run for the playoffs, Stephens said he and his teammates are trying to stay strong and confident. To that end, he's played regular rounds of golf to help him with the mental side of the game.

"I'm not a great golfer, but I'm very competitive," he said. "When something goes wrong, you have to bounce back. You have to know that you're going to make a good shot or a good pitch after that."