Arizona Diamondbacks right hander Shelby Miller has endured plenty of struggles on the 2016 season, which prompted the D-Backs to send Miller to Triple-A. On Tuesday night, he started for the Reno Aces.
The Arizona Diamondbacks sent Shelby Miller to Triple-A with the hope that Miller could iron out the issues that have plagued him on the mound this season. On Tuesday, Miller took the hill for the Reno Aces against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, the Milwaukee Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate.
Despite Miller’s struggles this year, he is still worth monitoring, as trade rumors centered around him have emerged in recent days. Robert Murray of Today’s Knuckleball reported Miller has drawn trade interest from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins.
With that being the case, how did Miller fare in Reno?
Miller started the game by walking Kyle Wren, but it was his only blemish of the first inning. He retired the next three batters he faced, striking out two, while stranding Wren at third base.
Miller got an early dose of run support, when the Aces third baseman Carlos Rivero hit a bases-loaded single, giving Reno a 1-0 lead.
The Sky Sox didn’t put up much of a fight in the second inning, as Miller retired the side in order on a pop out, and two strike outs, which gave him four strikeouts through the first two innings. In the bottom of the second inning, Miller stepped into the batter’s box and struck out swinging after working a full count.
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Miller took the hill in the third inning and got Yadiel Rivera to ground out. He then struck out opposing pitcher Hiram Burgos for his fifth strikeout. After being squeezed against Kyle Wren, Miller threw a wild curve ball and Wren drew a walk. The walk wouldn’t come back to hurt Miller, though, as he got the next batter, Nate Orf, to ground out to shortstop to end the inning.
In the bottom of the third, Miller got more run support, as Mitch Haniger hit a deep two-run home run to left-center field, and Kyle Jensen followed that with a home run of his own, a solo shot over the left field fence. The two homers gave Miller a 4-0 lead to work with.
By the fourth inning, Miller was on a roll. He got some flashy defensive help when Gabby Guerrero made a sliding catch in right field to rob Sky Sox’ catcher Manny Pina of a hit. Miller then struck out Josmil Pinto for a second time, bringing his total to six. The next batter, Garin Cecchini, reached second base on what was ruled an error by Jensen at first base. Cecchini hit the ball hard down the first base line, and hustled to reach second base once Jensen couldn’t field it. However, Miller was unfazed, as he struck out Michael Reed looking to end the fourth inning. Through four innings, Miller showed good poise and had struck out seven.
Miller got his second at-bat in the bottom of the fourth with a man on second base. He tried twice, unsuccessfully, to lay down a bunt that would’ve moved Dan Rohfing to third base. With two strikes, Miller swung hard and hit a line drive to left field for an out.
Reno’s offense exploded in the bottom of the fourth inning after Miller’s at-bat. Chris Owings lined a shot into center field that scored Rohfing from second base, giving Miller and the Aces a 5-0 lead. Ildemaro Vargas then doubled, which brought Owings around to score for a 6-0 lead. Mitch Haniger nearly had his second home run, as he hit a long double, scoring Vargas. Miller now had a comfortable 7-0 lead as he went into the fifth inning.
Miller proved the run support was more than sufficient. He cruised through the order in the fifth. He struck out the side, sending Keon Broxton, Yadiel Rivera, and pitcher Michael Blazek all back to the dugout, bringing his strikeout total to ten.
Through five innings, Miller had a no-hitter. He was clearly in control, attacking the strike zone and overpowering opposing hitters with his fastball.
However, in the top of the sixth, Miller lost the no-hitter and the shutout. Nathan Orf broke up the no-hitter with a double to left-center field. Then, with two men on, Josmil Pinto hit a deep three-run home run to left field. It was one of the few mistakes Miller made all night, but it obviously had more significance as he lost the shutout.
Miller entered the seventh inning, recording two outs before Eric Young Jr. singled and reached second base on an error. Miller exited the game after 6.2 innings, with just the three runs allowed. He gave up four hits, and struck out ten while earning the win, as Reno won 9-6.
Miller dominated for much of the night, throwing five no-hit innings in what had to be an encouraging outing for Arizona’s brass.
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In the Major Leagues, Miller is 2-9 on the 2016 season, with a bloated 7.14 ERA. He is averaging 4.41 walks per nine innings. Major League hitters are hitting .306 off of Miller this season, all of which contributed to Arizona sending him down. But Miller took a step in the right direction on Tuesday night, and if he continues to pitch as he did against Colorado Springs, Miller will find himself back on track and back in the Major Leagues.