Cedeno posts seven zeros for RiverDogs

Luis Cedeno's coaches want him to learn how to pitch well on days when his stuff's not there. On Thursday, he showcased what he can do when he's on top of his game.

The Yankees prospect scattered a hit and two walks and struck out nine batters over seven innings as Class A Charleston held on to blank visiting Lexington, 1-0, at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. It was his third scoreless start of the year.

"He had a good fastball, an explosive fastball. He did a good job of moving it around in the zone. His curveball was really sharp today, so he had that going as well," Charleston pitching coach Justin Pope said. "His changeup got better as the game went on, too. At one point, he had all three pitches going for him."

Cedeno (6-5) was perfect through six innings, but he walked D.J. Burt, allowed a single by Roman Collins and issued a free pass to Mike Hill to start the seventh. The Venezuela native got Royals' No. 7 prospect Chase Vallot to fly out to left and then induced Brandon Dulin and Amalani Fukofuka into ground-ball forceouts.

"His pitch count was low and that was the first time he was in trouble all night. I was going with my gut and wanted to get him to pitch out of the jam. If he gave up a hit and a run, he was going to be done," Pope said. "I felt like he earned the right to work out of it. For me, he was still showing good stuff.

"It shows what type of competitor he is," he added. "He showed good composure out there and didn't let the loaded bases affect him. He did a good job of competing and getting out of the inning."

The 22-year-old right-hander has struggled at times with consistency this season. He sported a 4.43 ERA over 42 2/3 innings in his first eight starts, but he's rebounded with a 2.45 ERA in five July starts. Overall, opponents are hitting .256 against him and he has a 1.18 WHIP.

"He's got great stuff, that's for sure," Pope said. "Tonight showed what type of pitcher he can be, along with the other outings he's had where he's gone six or seven innings with a bunch of punchouts. He's a young pitcher and he just has to learn how to pitch when he doesn't have his best stuff.

"He's got to use all of his pitches," he added. "[The key for him] is just being consistent with all of his pitches -- being in the strike zone with his fastball and being able to locate to both sides and elevating when he wants to. He's a tough kid, and he can definitely handle what's in front of him. He loves to compete."

Charleston's Eduardo Rivera walked two and struck out three in the final two innings to record his first save.

Lexington starter Gerson Garabito gave up three hits and struck out four over five scoreless frames. Sam Lewis (0-1) gave up a run on two hits while fanning one in two innings. 

Ricardo Ferreira went 2-for-4 and scored the RiverDogs' run on a wild pitch in the sixth.