Twins' Wells racks up 14 K's in near no-no

Of the 21 outs Tyler Wells recorded Monday, he handled 14 himself.  

The Minnesota right-hander fanned a career-high 14 batters while scattering a hit and two walks over seven innings as Rookie-level Elizabethton blanked Bristol, 3-0, in the first game of Monday's doubleheader at Joe O'Brien Field. It marked his first career complete game.

"I was kind of building off last outing," Wells said. "I knew that my slider has been working well lately, and I've been really focusing on getting fastball location down. Once that's established, I was able to build on the fastball-slider combo."

The gem marked his third consecutive strong outing after Wells (4-2) experienced a few road bumps in the first six starts of his career.

"I've been really working on fastball command since I've gotten here and it's been a big part of my development," the Cal State San Bernardino product said. "In college, it was a little bit easier. You were able to blow it by guys who weren't at this caliber. Now everyone's good and you've got to bear down and spot up."

After Wells struck out two in a 1-2-3 top of the first inning, he entered the second frame with 2-0 lead. He walked Jhoan Herrera to lead off the second and then struck out eight of the next 12 before losing the no-hitter on Yoel Gonzalez's leadoff double in the sixth.

"It was more in the first inning [when I realized I had Bristol figured out]," Wells said. "My catcher [No. 9 Twins prospect Ben Rortvedt] and I were focusing on the fastball location, and once the first inning ended, I realized they weren't touching it. Then I wanted to build off that.

"After I gave up the hit, I realized [history was] out of the question and I just have to get these outs. At that point, it's a complete mental switch from 'OK, you're going to get this no-hitter' to 'Let's move on and finish the rest of the game.'"

Henrry Rosario walked to start off the seventh and stole second base before Wells fanned the next three batters to end the game.

Wells' career began with Elizabethton on June 30 after Minnesota took him in the 15^th round of the June Draft. He posted a 5.87 ERA, struck out 32 batters and walked 10 in 23 innings across his first six starts.

The 6-foot-8, 265-pound righty has rebounded to win his last three outings to push his ERA down to 3.70. In that time, he's allowed two earned runs on 10 hits while striking out 24 batters over 18 1/3 innings.

"Throwing strikes has been a big key into what has led to my success over the last [three starts]," Wells said. "A lot of the confidence comes from time in between starts, with the preparation, the conditioning and the weights. Now I'm starting to get into the routine of doing this on a consistent basis. My body is starting adjust and my recovery time is faster. Overall, my body feels great and my arm feels great."

Elizabethton leadoff man Ariel Montesino went 3-for-4 and drove in a run.

Bristol starter Adam Oller (2-1) gave up two runs on seven hits and a walk while fanning four batters over five innings.

The Twins completed the sweep of the twinbill with a 3-2 win in the nightcap.