May on the cusp of realizing his dream

After seven years and 130 starts for six teams in five leagues and two organizations, Twins prospect Trevor May is on the cusp of realizing his dream.

If he produces more performances like the one he turned in Sunday afternoon to earn his first Triple-A win, that dream could soon become a reality.

May allowed a single and a walk while striking out four batters over six scoreless innings as the Rochester Red Wings beat the Syracuse Chiefs, 9-3, at NBT Bank Stadium.

"I was definitely happy with it," May said of his performance. "I came in with a game plan and I was able to make pitches in good spots and get the hitters back in the dugout. I was locating my fastball well and getting ahead and being able to throw my changeup, curveball and a couple sliders effectively. I missed some barrels, and guys made some really good plays behind me.

"There are a lot of guys that play pro ball that don't get a chance to get a win at Triple-A and it's always fun to get that first win at the next level, but it is just another step on the ladder."

Sunday marked the 29th time in his career that May has pitched at least six innings and allowed one run or fewer. In 15 of those starts, he did not give up a run.

The 24-year-old right-hander retired his first five batters and 11 of his final 12. Nationals No. 3 prospect Brian Goodwin lined a single into right field with two outs in the second and walked leading off the fifth. Only one other Chief -- Jose Lozada, who reached on third baseman Doug Bernier's throwing error -- got on base against May.

"It is definitely up there," May said, "just because it's at the highest [Minor League] level and right below the level I want to be at. I don't think I was as dominant tonight as I was at other levels, but I was happy with the plan we had in place and being able to execute when I needed to."

It was a nice bounce-back effort for the 2008 fourth-round Draft pick, who gave up four runs and did not make it out of the fifth inning on Monday against Pawtucket. May said he didn't execute his pitches as well as he needed to against the PawSox, adding that he gave up hits in pitcher's counts when he missed his spots.

Drafted by the Phillies, May has spent parts of two seasons at each Minor League level over the past six years. It wasn't necessarily the way he drew it up, but in hindsight, he wouldn't have it any other way.

"Guys want to succeed right away and blow through the Minors, but I had to accept that it would take me a little bit longer to be successful," said May, acquired by the Twins in the deal that sent Ben Revere to Philadelphia on the final day of the 2012 Winter Meetings. "It took me longer than I wanted, but I always knew I would get there. I've had to repeat every single level, but the second time up I have shown improvement every time.

"Where I am right now would not have happened if I didn't repeat them, so I'm glad I've had to deal with what I have. Now I'm as a close as I can be. It is something you work so hard to achieve, and I've spoken to other guys on the team that have had that call and they say it's the greatest thing, that there's no better feeling."

One of the Red Wings' Major League veterans, right fielder Chris Parmelee, went 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored, while left fielder Chris Rahl slugged a three-run homer, his first of the year.

Syracuse starter Josh Roenicke (0-2) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two batters over three innings.